Numerous studies have documented the physical, social, psychological, and developmental problems that present in children who have been abused or neglected by caregivers. The following resources explain the consequences of different types of maltreatment. Keep in mind that children may experience multiple types of maltreatment.
Acts of Omission: An Overview of Child Neglect
Child Neglect: An Overview
Dubowitz (2019)
Encyclopedia on Early Childhood Development
Reviews child neglect and effects on children, which include impacts to physical health, psychological well-being, academic abilities, and social development.
Chronic Child Neglect
Neglect
Harvard University, Center on the Developing Child
Provides an overview of child neglect and explores how neglect can disrupt healthy child development and affect how children learn, solve problems, and relate to others.
Tools for Spotting Chronic Child Neglect Fall Short
Gambini-Buffalo (2017)
Futurity.org
Discusses how the effects of chronic neglect can impact early brain development, cognitive development, and emotional regulation. The article suggests that child protection agencies rate neglect cases as lower due to ineffective assessments.
Understanding the Effects of Maltreatment on Brain Development
Effects of Child Sexual Abuse
Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs
Summarizes effects of child sexual abuse for children of different ages along with factors that determine how a child is impacted.
The Impact of Child Sexual Abuse
Darkness to Light
Presents a discussion on the larger impact of child sexual abuse, including the economic impact, social impact, and health impact.
The Impact of Childhood Sexual Abuse and Adverse Childhood Experiences on Adult Health Related Quality of Life
Downing, Akinlotan, & Thornhill (2021)
Explores how adverse childhood experiences, including child sexual abuse, are associated with poor health-related quality of life in adulthood.
Mental Health Indicators Fifty Years Later: A Population-Based Study of Men With Histories of Child Sexual Abuse
Easton & Kong (2017)
Examines the long-term effects of childhood sexual abuse on mental health in middle and late life for men, including the effects of childhood adversities and masculine norms in relationships between depressive symptoms, somatic symptom severity, and hostility.
Sexual Abuse
American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (2020)
Reviews child sexual abuse as a public health issue and examines impacts of sexual abuse.
Sexual Abuse: Effects
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Summarizes the range of emotional and behavioral effects that are characteristics of children who have experienced sexual abuse.
What Is the Impact of Child Sexual Abuse?
Stop It Now!
Explores impacts of child sexual abuse, including depression, substance use, promiscuous behavior, and others and provides additional information on the topic.
Child Physical Abuse and Neglect
Rodriguez & Gonzalez (2020)
In The Encyclopedia of Child and Adolescent Development
Analyzes child physical abuse and neglect and includes a section on consequences of this type of maltreatment.
Effects
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Details the effects of physical abuse of children, which include difficulties developing and maintaining relationships, aggression or other behavioral problems, anxiety and fear, and other mental health consequences.
Effects of Child Physical Abuse
Gluck (2019)
Healthy Place for Your Mental Health
Discusses the primary, emotional, and social effects of child physical abuse and links to other articles about the topic.
Physical Abuse
Nationwide Children's Hospital
Explores impacts of physical abuse on children including low self-esteem, fear and anxiety, eating disorders, depression, aggression, sleep issues, and more.
Child Emotional and Psychological Abuse
Carey (2018)
Healthline
Describes child emotional abuse, signs of the abuse, and long-term impacts of this type of maltreatment.
Exploring the Link Between Emotional Child Abuse and Anorexia Nervosa: A Psychopathological Correlation
Rai, Mainali, Raza, Rashid, and Rutkofsky (2019)
Cureus Journal of Medical Science, 11(8)
Presents a study on the link between eating disorders and child emotional abuse
Kids and Emotional/Psychological Abuse
Child Crime Prevention & Safety Center
Discusses child emotional abuse, types of psychological abuse, and effects of childhood emotional abuse.
What Is Emotional Child Abuse?
Morin (2021)
Verywell Family
Defines child emotional abuse and describes the signs of this type of child maltreatment along with the impacts of emotional abuse.