Fact Sheet: Emotional Child Abuse

Prevent Child Abuse America 200 South Michigan Avenue
17th Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60604.2404
312.663.3520 tel
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www.preventchildabuse.org
Fact Sheet: Emotional Child Abuse
What is it?
Emotional child abuse is maltreatment which results in impaired psychological growth and
development.i It involves words, actions, and indifference.2 Abusers constantly reject, ignore,
belittle, dominate, and criticize the victims.1,3 This form of abuse may occur with or without
physical abuse, but there is often an overlap.4
Examples of emotional child abuse are verbal abuse; excessive demands on a child’s
performance; penalizing a child for positive, normal behavior (smiling, mobility, exploration,
vocalization, manipulation of objects); discouraging caregiver and infant attachment; penalizing
a child for demonstrating signs of positive self-esteem; and penalizing a child for using
interpersonal skills needed for adequate performance in school and peer groups.1,3 In addition,
frequently exposing children to family violence and unwillingness or inability to provide
affection or stimulation for the child in the course of daily care may also result in emotional
abuse.3
How is it identified?
Although emotional abuse can hurt as much as physical abuse, it can be harder to identify
because the marks are left on the inside instead of the outside.4 Not surprising, there exist few
well-validated measures of childhood emotional abuse. Clinicians can use a revised version of
the Child Abuse and Trauma Scale (CATS) which targets measures for emotional abuse.5
Caregivers can also closely observe children’s behaviors and personalities. Children suffering
from emotional abuse are often extremely loyal to the parent, afraid of being punished if they
report abuse, or think that this type of abuse is a normal way of life.3
Behavioral indicators of an emotionally abused child include inappropriate behavior that is
immature or more mature for the child’s age, dramatic behavioral changes (disruption of
activities, clinging or compulsively seeking affection and attention), aggressiveness,
uncooperativeness, bedwetting or loss of bowel control (after a child has been trained), and
destructive or antisocial behavior (being constantly withdrawn and sad). Furthermore, poor
relationships with peers, lack of self confidence, unusual fears for the child’s age (fear of going
home, being left alone, specific objects), or inability to react with emotion or develop an
emotional bond with others are also indicators. Realistically, any of the above behaviors may
also be seen in normal children, but a change in pattern of these behaviors is a strong indicator of
emotional abuse.3
Who are the perpetrators?
Almost any adult involved in a relationship with a child is a potential perpetrator. Parents,
teachers, pastors, social workers, neighbors, lawyers, or judges may all be capable of emotional
maltreatment.1 Common characteristics of the abusing adult include blaming or belittling the
child in public, describing the child negatively, always assuming the child is at fault, having
unrealistic expectations of the child, openly admitting to disliking or hating the child, threatening
the child with severe punishment, withdrawing comfort as a means of discipline, being
emotionally cold and un-supportive, suffering from alcohol and drug abuse, and possessing a
violent nature.3
Why does this happen?
Most emotional abuse occurs for many of the same reasons that physical abuse occurs. Parents
are vulnerable to becoming involved in maltreatment if stresses in their lives build up or if they
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are unable to manage these stresses. They may also have diminished capacity for understanding
and dealing with children (mental retardation, psychopathology, alcoholism, drug abuse), false
ideas about children’s needs, or sadistic psychosis.1 Also, the abuser’s goal may be to control.2
Nevertheless, a single factor may not lead to abuse, but in combination they can create the social
and emotional pressures that lead to emotional abuse. Specific types of problems that can
contribute to emotional abuse are social problems that can contribute to family stress
(unemployment, poverty, isolation from relatives and friends, divorce, death, immature parents),
health crises (illness of a family member, disability of a family member, drug and alcohol abuse
within the family), and mental health problems (mental disability, depression).3
What are the effects?
The consequences of emotional child abuse can be serious and long-term.3,6 Many research
studies conclude that psychopathologic symptoms are more likely to develop in emotionally
abused children. These children may experience a lifelong pattern of depression, estrangement,
anxiety, low self-esteem, inappropriate or troubled relationships, or a lack of empathy.1,2,3,6,7
During their childhood, victims may fail to thrive or their developmental progress may be halted.
Some may also become poorly adjusted emotionally and psychologically.3 As teenagers, they
find it difficult to trust, participate in and achieve happiness in interpersonal relationships, and
resolve the complex feelings left over from their childhoods. As adults, they may have trouble
recognizing and appreciating the needs and feelings of their own children and emotionally abuse
them as well.1
What can be done for the victims?
To effectively identify and confirm emotional abuse, it is necessary to observe the abuser-child
interaction on varied and repeated occasions. If emotional abuse is suspected, action can be
taken regardless of whether the suspected offender is within the child’s home, child care setting,
or elsewhere in the community. It is the caregiver’s responsibility to report and not investigate
suspicions of child abuse. It is the child protection agency’s responsibility to investigate reports
of any type of abuse. A careful evaluation of those involved and the sources of stress should be
completed by appropriate and skilled professionals. Usually, a team consisting of a child
protection worker, a physician, a psychiatrist or psychologist, a public health nurse, a childcare
staff, and a teacher will become involved.3
What can be done to prevent it?
Health care professionals and concerned individuals need to increase awareness for and
education in emotional child abuse in the community and among parents. Secondly, parents and
guardians need to be encouraged to develop strong attachments with their children and learn to
express warmth and positive regard for them. Finally, families have to be encouraged to form
relationships with support systems available to them. In addition, more research in topics related
to emotional child abuse and parent-child relationships must be undertaken.1
Sources
1) Garbarino, J. & Garbarino, A. Emotional Maltreatment of Children. (Chicago, National Committee to Prevent
Child Abuse, 2nd Ed. 1994).
2) Jantz, G.L. Healing the Scars of Emotional Abuse. Grand Rapids, MI: Fleming H. Revell (1995).
3) “Emotional Abuse & Young Children”, Florida Center for Parent Involvement (website:
http://lumpy.fmhi.usf.edu/cfsroot/dares/fcpi/vioTOC.html)
4) Korfmacher, J. Emotional Neglect: Being Hurt by What Is Not There. (Chicago, National Committee to
Prevent Child Abuse, 1998).
5) Kent, A. & Waller, G. “The impact of childhood emotional abuse: an extension of the Child Abuse and
Trauma Scale.” Child Abuse and Neglect. May, 1998; 22(5): 393-399.
6) Rich, D.J., Gingerich, K.J. & Rosen, L.A. “Childhood emotional abuse and associated psychopathology in
college students”. Journal of College Student Psychotherapy. 1997; 11(3): 13-28.
7) Sanders, B. & Becker-Lausen, E. “The measurement of psychological maltreatment: Early data on the child
abuse and trauma scale”. Child Abuse and Neglect. 1995; 19(3): 315-323.
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Acknowledgment
This fact sheet is a public service from Prevent Child Abuse America that has been made possible through grants
from the Sigma Delta Tau Sorority. Fact sheets are issued periodically on a variety of subjects as needs arise. Fact
sheets may be reproduced without notice to Prevent Child Abuse America; however we request that the author, if
any, and Prevent Child Abuse America be credited as the source if reproduced in part or in whole in other
publications or products.