Child Maltreatment - Psychological Abuse

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is psychological abuse of a child?

• Psychological (si-ko-LOJ-i-kal) abuse of a child, also called emotional abuse, is a form of family violence and child maltreatment. A child may be defined as a person under 18 years of age. Each U.S. state may have different legal views on this type of abuse of a child. Psychological or emotional abuse occurs when persons cause mental or emotional pain, distress, suffering, or anguish to a child. These persons whom the child depends on or trusts may unknowingly or on purpose be an abuser. Parents, guardians, foster parents, relatives, or a carer of a child may be responsible for the psychological abuse. A carer is someone who is paid or not paid for caring for a child.
  
  
• Psychological or emotional abuse includes rejecting, insulting, threatening, humiliating, intimidating, or harassing through words or actions. This may also include terrorizing, ignoring, not speaking to the child, or isolating him from family members, friends, or his regular activities. Child exploitation or corruption may also be psychological or emotional abuse. This happens when someone exposes (shows), uses, or encourages a child to do something against the law. Psychological or emotional abuse may happen in the home of the child or the abuser. It may also happen in daycare centers, foster homes, or other locations. Psychological abuse may lead to serious physical and mental pain, injury, disability, and neglect. When psychological abuse of a child is reported and diagnosed, caregivers can help children who are at risk for, or who are victims of abuse.

What causes psychological abuse of a child? The exact cause of psychological abuse of a child is not known. There are many things that may cause someone to abuse a child. Poor, violent, or crowded living conditions may be one of the reasons why it occurs. The following are other possible causes and conditions that may increase a child's risk of psychological abuse:

• Risks related to the abuser:
  
  
  • Being a single or a teen-age parent.
    
    
  • Depends heavily on the child for things such as money or other source of income.
    
    
  • Drinks alcohol or uses illegal drugs, such as cocaine, heroin, and marijuana.
    
    
  • Has a personality disorder, depression, or another mental illness.
    
    
  • Has a history of family violence, such as physical, emotional, or sexual abuse.
    
    
  • Has stress due to work, taking care of the child, or financial problems.
  
  
• Risks related to the child:
  
  
  • Has learning or memory problems.
    
    
  • Has long-term conditions or special needs.
    
    
  • Has no relatives or friends who can take care of him.
    
    
  • Shows aggressive or disruptive behavior.

What are the signs and symptoms of psychological abuse of a child? Any of the following may be present:

• Always disturbed or frightened.
  
  
• Avoids eye contact or not talking openly to others.
  
  
• Feeling anxious, shy, depressed, or withdrawn.
  
  
• Feeling hopeless or low self-esteem.
  
  
• Sleep problems.
  
  
• Sudden changes of mood or eating patterns.
  
  
• Wanting to hurt himself or other people.

How is psychological abuse of a child diagnosed? A caregiver will take a detailed health history from your child, other family members, or carers. This may include information on the kind of psychological or emotional abuse that is happening. He may be asked if he has been eating properly, taking medicines, given clothing, or been taken good care of. Caregivers may also want to know who the abuser is, and how long the abuse has been happening. Your child may need to take tests or answer written questions so his caregiver may learn more about his condition. He may also need other tests to see how well his body and brain are working.

How is psychological abuse of a child treated? A child who has been abused may be placed in special day care center or foster care. Special services may be offered to ensure a child's safety and health. Treatment may also include any of the following:

• For the psychologically abused child:
  
  
  • Counseling: Caregivers may talk to you, your child, or other family members, friends, or the abuser about psychological abuse. Caregivers may explain the problems that can occur if child abuse is not noticed or stopped.
    
    
  • Legal action: Police or other special agencies should be informed. They may help file complaints to stop the abuse. A special power of attorney may be given to someone who may truly take care of your child and his funds, safety, and rights.
    
    
  • Medicines: Caregivers may give medicines to calm, relax, or help your child sleep. Other medicines may also be given if he has certain medical conditions.
  
  
• For the abuser:
  
  
  • Criminal prosecution: Abusers may be arrested and punished.
    
    
  • Medicines: Medicines may be given to treat depression and alcohol or substance abuse.
    
    
  • Psychotherapy: This is a type of counseling that is usually done in a series of meetings or talks. These meetings can help people understand why psychological abuse happens, and learn about problems that an abuser might have.
    
    
  • Rehabilitation: An abuser may need to be put in an alcohol or substance abuse rehabilitation program. These programs may help him learn how to control or stop his drinking or drug problem.

Where can I find support and more information? Reporting psychological abuse may be hard to do, but it is very important. By reporting it, your child will get the help that he needs to stop the abuse from happening or continuing. Talk to your child and help him discuss his feelings. You, your child, and other family members may also want to join a support group. This is a group of children who may have also been psychologically or emotionally abused. Contact the following for more information:

• American Academy of Family Physicians
  PO Box 11210
  Shawnee Mission, KS 66207-1210
  Phone: 1-913-906-6000
  Web Address: http://www.aafp.org
  

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your child's care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your child's health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your child's caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat your child.

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