Types of Emotional Child A b u s e
Emotional child a b u s e can take several forms. At one end of the spectrum are insults or belittling words or actions, while the other end can be total indifference and neglect. A caregiver who is emotionally a b u s i v e often uses words, but their actions also can be a b u s i v e —and sometimes, it's a lack of action that is a b u s i v e .
When a parent or caregiver doesn't show a child love or make them feel wanted, secure, and worthy, these actions result in emotional deprivation. People who are a b u s i v e also may withhold physical affection or loving touch, both of which are essential to a child's emotional development and feeling of security and belonging.
Any person in a child's life can be emotionally a b u s i v e and the a b u s e can take many forms. Examples of emotional a b u s e include a babysitter who constantly screams at the kids and makes threats, exposure to domestic violence at home, a step-parent who says that they wish a child didn't exist, a teacher who makes fun of a child in front of the class, or a parent with alcohol use disorder who gets angry when they drink.
Risk Factors for Emotional A b u s e
Experiencing emotional a b u s e as a child increases the risk that a person may engage in emotional a b u s e of a child. Other risk factors include social isolation or separation from extended family, having a physical or mental illness such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression, using drugs or alcohol, or dealing with financial stress, unemployment, or poverty.
Other risk factors may include a family crisis or family stress such as being victimized by domestic a b u s e or having marital conflicts; feeling jealousy, anger, or resentment toward the child or childcare responsibilities; lacking parenting skills or an understanding of child development; or raising a child who is developmentally or physically disabled.
Of course, not all people in these situations are emotionally a b u s i v e. And children do not cause another person to be emotionally a b u s i v e. Engaging in the emotional a b u s e of a child is a choice—intentional or not—that the perpetrator makes. While these risk factors may increase the likelihood that a b u s e might occur, the person being emotionally a b u s i v e still has agency and can learn to make better, less damaging choices.
Impact of Emotional A b u s e
Experts use a rating scale called Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) to categorize and measure the impact of child a b u s e and other traumas. In this system, a higher score means more exposure to a b u s e and trauma.10 Research shows that a higher ACE score is linked with a greater risk of adverse physical and mental health impacts and behavioral issues later in life
The consequences of child a b u s e in any form can be severe and often persist well into adulthood. A child often believes that they are responsible for the a b u s e and that it means they are unloved, unlovable, and unwanted.
Attachment Issues
Emotional a b u s e can interfere with a child’s ability to form and maintain healthy attachments. Attachment issues in early childhood have been linked to insecure attachments in adulthood. Children also might be at an increased risk for poor peer relations, trouble with intimacy, difficulty with conflict resolution, and relational aggression.
Behavioral and Social Problems
Emotional a b u s e in childhood also has been linked to delinquency and intercourse aggressive behavior in young adults. Problems at school and with peers are also more common in these children.
Repeating the Cycle of A b u s e
Without appropriate intervention, people who were a b u s e d as children are more likely to a b u s e their kids than people who did not experience a b u s e. Stopping the a b u s e and helping the child cope and process the trauma they experienced can reduce the likelihood of the cycle of a b u s e continuing to the next generation.
Suicide and Mental Illness
Teens who experienced emotional a b u s e as children are more likely to be diagnosed with at least one mental illness, such as depression or anxiety, which can persist into adulthood.14 People with a history of emotional a b u s e are also at an increased risk of self-harm, including attempting suicide.
If you or a child are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger,
For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database.
Societal Harm
Emotional a b u s e doesn't just have a negative effect on individuals and families; it also strains society as a whole. The consequences of a b u s e burden the health and social care systems, and is costly because of increased educational failure, crime, and the need for mental health services.
Not everyone who has a history of emotional a b u s e experiences lifelong scars, though. The duration, severity, and age of onset of the a b u s e as well as the personal coping skills and resources of support available to the child are influential factors. For example, having other supportive adults in their lives also can offset the impact.
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