By: Malak Kalaz
1.0 Introduction
The topic of parent abuse on their own children goes unnoticed more times than it doesn’t, leaving it to become one of the top challenges for children and teenagers today. Neglectful, emotional, or physical abuse by parents can have a catastrophic impact on a child’s growth and development. Abused children may endure immediate trauma in addition to long-term psychological effects like anxiety, despair, and trouble controlling their emotions. A child’s capacity to develop stable bonds may be hampered by these early negative experiences, which may result in relationship and mental health issues that last into adulthood. Creating solutions and support networks to deal with parental abuse requires an understanding of its extent and effects on children. Research on how parental abuse affects kids is essential for developing treatment strategies and guiding laws meant to stop abuse and promote healing.
1.1 Statistics on Child Abuse
A major worldwide problem, child abuse - especially that committed by parents - remains prevalent as seen by the startling figures that show how severely it affects children. A study claims that a significant percentage of people suffer from childhood maltreatment, with research showing that over one in 4 children globally are abused or neglected. This encompasses psychological, emotional, and physical abuse, all of which can have detrimental effects on the child’s physical and mental well-being. More than 3 million allegations of child abuse are filed each year in the United States alone, according to data from the National Child ABuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS), and almost 700,000 children are proven to have been abused or neglected. Survivors of parental abuse are more likely to become parents who continue abusive practices, which feeds into the cycle of intergenerational trauma. The long-term repercussions of parental abuse frequently last into adulthood. Children of violent parents are also more likely to experience more mental health issues than kids with a loving, supporting family. These results demonstrate how urgently effective preventative and intervention measures are needed to end this cycle and lessen its negative effects.
1.2 Negative Psychological Impacts of Abuse
Children who experience parental abuse generally suffer from sadness, anxiety, PTSD, and trouble controlling their emotions. In particular, emotional abuse may damage a child’s connection and sense of self-worth, which can last into adulthood and have an impact on relationships and mental health. Substance misuse, self-harm, and behavioral problems are more common among abuse survivors. The significance of therapies that address the acute trauma as well as its long-term ramifications is highlighted by these long-lasting psychological implications These results demonstrate how urgently effective preventative and intervention measures are needed to end this cycle and lessen its negative effects.
1.3 Relationship Developments After Abuse
Abuse during childhood, especially from parents, can have a significant impact on a person’s capacity to establish and maintain relationships, both new and hold. Building safe connections is difficult since the trauma frequently results in trust issues, attachment issues, and emotional control. Survivors may struggle with intimacy or fear desertion, which can damage friendships, romantic relationships, and even parent-child ties. These problems can persist into adulthood, impairing one’s capacity to maintain existing relationships while forming new ones. Unhealthy behaviors like disengagement, dependence, or hostility are frequently the outcome of unresolved trauma.
1.4 Strategies to Deal with Abuse or Effects
Good support can lessen the likelihood of persistent mental health issues, encourage recovery, and help end the cycle of abuse. Early intervention is essential for children’s wellbeing and to stop intergenerational trauma from continuing. In order to help survivors recover, regain trust, cultivate better interpersonal skills--all of which allow them to create new, healthy relationships while enhancing their current ones–effective therapy and constant support and essential. A specific type of therapy would be Delivering Trauma-Informed therapy. This type of therapy focuses on helping the affected children to clarify their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in the context of the abuse while frequently after it occurs. Overall, it takes a lot of time and patience to help manage through something that’s been happening for as long as you can remember.
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References
Greene, C. A., Haisley, L., Wallace, C., & Ford, J. D. (2020). Intergenerational effects of childhood maltreatment: A systematic review of the parenting practices of adult survivors of childhood abuse, neglect, and violence. Clinical Psychology Review, 80, 101891. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2020.101891
Rost, K., Gossmann, E., Fegert, J. M., Ziegenhain, U., Köhler-Dauner, F. (2024). Long-term consequences of childhood emotional abuse in mothers on parental load and child mental health, Acta Psychologica, Vol. 244, 104169, ISSN 0001-6918.
Rizvi, S. F. I., & Najam, N. (2014, April 1). Parental Psychological Abuse toward children and Mental Health Problems in adolescence.
Starr, R., & Wolfe, D. A. (1991). The effects of child abuse and neglect: Issues and Research. Guilford Press.
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