Many people think of child abuse as physical or sexual mistreatment of a child. Although these are both forms of child abuse, psychological abuse is also quite common and can be greatly damaging to children throughout their lifetimes. Psychological abuse can be committed by parents, teachers, babysitters or even strangers.
Definition
Child psychological abuse is a pattern of toxic interactions between an adult and a child that becomes characteristic of their relationship. Psychological abuse, whether in the form of actions or verbal abuse, communicates to the child that he is worthless, unloved, defective, or useful only as a tool to meet the needs of others. Characteristics of psychological abuse include belittling, exploiting, terrorizing, ignoring, isolating or rejecting the child, according to Steven W. Kairys and Charles F. Johnson of the Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect.
Causes
Many factors contribute to the likelihood of child psychological abuse. Substance abuse, lack of parenting skills, mental illness, stress, low self-esteem, dysfunctional families and domestic violence all play a role. An authoritarian parenting style is also strongly correlated to child psychological abuse. Divorce often triggers a cycle of psychological abuse, especially if it is contentious. Unplanned children and physically or emotionally handicapped children are particularly likely to be abused.
Frequency
The exact extent of child psychological abuse is unknown. A study at Florida State University led by psychology professor Natalie Sachs-Ericsson indicated that nearly 30 percent of adults experienced some form of verbal abuse as a child, although some respondents reported only occasional problems. On the other hand, a study conducted by the National Center of Child Abuse and Neglect found the rate of psychological abuse to be only 6.1 percent.
Consequences
Child psychological abuse can follow its victims throughout their lifetimes. Victims tend to be unusually self-critical even as adults, and to suffer from higher than normal rates of depression, anxiety and mood disorders. Psychological abuse also causes low self-esteem, suicidal thoughts, eating disorders, substance abuse, social and sexual maladjustment, learning disabilities, defective moral reasoning and poor physical health.
Treatment
Sachs-Ericsson asserts that many victims pf psychological abuse can benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy teaches people to monitor their own thoughts, recognize irrational thinking patterns, and intervene in their own internal dialogue to replace irrational thoughts with rational thoughts. These new, constructive thinking patterns are then translated into actions that are capable of transforming the victims' lives. This type of therapy has been shown to be particularly effective for highly self-critical people.
Member Comments