Emotional, Behavioral, and Psychological Disturbances in Neglected Children

Depression and anxiety, for example, may make a person more likely to smoke, abuse alcohol or drugs, or overeat. High-risk behaviors, in turn, can lead to long-term physical health problems, such as sexually transmitted diseases, cancer, and obesity. Not all children who have been abused or neglected will experience long-term consequences, but they may have an increased susceptibility. The immediate physical effects of abuse or neglect can be relatively minor (bruises or cuts) or severe (broken bones, hemorrhage, or even death). In some cases, the physical effects are temporary; however, the pain and suffering they cause a child should not be discounted. Child abuse and neglect can have a multitude of long-term effects on physical health. NSCAW researchers found that, at some point during the 3 years following a maltreatment investigation, 28 percent of children had a chronic health condition (Administration for Children and Families, Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation [ACF/OPRE], 2007). Below are some outcomes other researchers have identified: Impaired brain development. Child abuse and neglect have been shown to cause important regions of the brain to fail to form or grow properly, resulting in impaired development. These alterations in brain maturation have long-term consequences for cognitive, language, and academic abilities and are connected with mental health disorders (Tarullo,

The issue of child neglect is one of the most current forms of child maltreatment especially in the United States. According to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System, child neglect is referred to as a kind of maltreatment which relates to the failure of a caregiver to offer the needed, age-appropriate care, despite the fact that the parent may be financially stable to do so (Conte 13). Neglect in many instances is described by an ongoing pattern that relates to lack of care and is observed by individuals in close contact with a child.

401). An analysis of the Canadian Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect (CIS-2008) revealed that in 2008 the rate of reported infant maltreatment was 51.81 per 1000 children with children below the age of one having the greatest likelihood of being the subject of maltreatment with frequencies lessening with age (Fallon, et al., 2013, p. 2). Child neglect has come to be described as the “neglect of neglect,” as it has been minimized by physical and sexual abuse and exploitation; therefore, neglect is often overlooked and under identified. Furthermore, child neglect is often difficult to identify due to cultural and spiritual differences. What is often negligent for one family may be considered usual to another (Cowen, 1999, pp. 401-403). Consequently, infant neglect often results in social, mental and physical delays, adult traumatization (Harper, Stalker, Palmer, & Gadbois, 2008), and failure to thrive (FTT); the result of inadequate nutrition resulting in poor physical development and, in extreme cases, psychosocial short stature; a disorder of the pituitary and hypothalamus which causes the child to not only be underdeveloped in weight but also in height due to major emotional and psychological trauma (Block & Krebs, 2005, pp. 1234-1235).

In order to help those in need, the forms of mistreatment must be first understood in order to make an accurate report. What are some of the different forms of child neglect?  In this presentation, the different forms of child neglect discussed are the educational neglect, medical neglect, and emotional neglect experiences. For starters, educational neglect transpires when the caregiver or parent does not enroll the child in school nor encourages the child to attend school. This type of neglect is happening amongst poor families who may prefer the child to work to assist in bringing more income into the home instead of attending school. Denying children of receiving a good education does not only hurt them, but their future

Neglect happens when a parent or caregiver does not adhere to parental and care giving obligations, which includes the physical, emotional, and educational well being of their child. Poor nutrition effects physical and psychological development. If proper nutrients are not provided during growth periods this will affect physical growth. Stunted growth, chronic medical conditions, inadequate bone and muscle growth and neurological development are all affects of poor nutrition. Additionally, brain-processing problems make it difficult for children to understand social relationships, understand direction and understand academic tasks. Neglect is also linked to mental health problems such as, depression and anxiety. Studies found that children who reported a history of childhood neglect were three times more likely to suffer from depression than children who were not maltreated. In conclusion, neglect poses severe and life altering consequences and can even result in death.

Throughout the duration of this course, we can establish that neglect is a form of child maltreatment. By definition, child neglect occurs when the child’s parent or caretaker fails to provide basic, fundamental needs to the child (e.g., physical, emotional, medical, or educational) (Miller-Perrin & Perrin, 2013). It is a maltreatment that commonly begins at an early age and can be built to something more chronic in his/her life (Hildyard, 2002). Initial neglect can result in short-term consequences such as anxious or disorganized style of attachment; recognizing and distinguishing emotion in others; and intelligence and problem-solving skills (Rhoades, 2017). However, the consequences can persist and develop long-term. This paper will investigate

This is why it is crucial to understand that people know and understand that these children need help and do not function the same as a child who has not experienced neglect. Neglect can affect a child’s emotions, ability to see right from wrong, and identify consequences of actions (Children’s Bureau, 2013). It can also lead to depression. “When a child is abused or witnesses abuse, he or she learns that violence is a method used to control others” (Effects of Child Abuse and Neglect, 2016). Reactive attachment Disorder (RAD) is commonly found in children who are maltreated or raised in institutions (Zeanah,

The consequences of child abuse and neglect is time and again reflected in physical, psychological, behavioural, and societal significances. These consequences, however, are interrelated and can show their impact on one or the other aspects and for a very long duration.

In recent years, there have been numerous studies and research evidence presented that expose the negative effects that early maltreatment and adversity, as well as poor parent-child attachments can have on children. The 2012 Children’s Bureau reported that an estimated 1,640 children died from maltreatment that year. Of that number, 70% experienced neglect and 44% experienced abuse (USDHHS, 2012). This maltreatment, according to the Modified Maltreatment Classification System, includes physical, sexual, and emotional abuse and neglect (English & Longscan Investigators, 1997). A majority of studies focus on the neurological, physiological, environmental and behavioral consequences, but few studies have examined the effect early adversity has

The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact that child neglect imposes on a child’s early stages of their development. Primarily in the child’s development areas of emotional, behavior, and learning problems. In new studies and research maltreatment now defines and refers to all intentional harm and / or endangerment of any person (s) under the age of 18. (Berger 2014) The main focus of this paper will be on child neglect and how it effects a child’s development; however throughout the paper information may be supplied to show comparisons, differences or even similarities

This article from Child Welfare Information Gateway provides the long-term consequences of child abuse and neglect. A child can be impacted by child abuse and neglect in four ways, physical, psychological, behavioral, and societal consequences. These consequences are difficult to differentiate and often times seem like a rippling- effect. For example, a child who has suffered from physical abuse, such as damage to their brain, can show signs of psychological problems as well and vice versa.

Although severe neglect isn't highly prevalent in today's society, it is still an important issue to be discussed. Without knowledge of the outcomes, there will be no motivation to intervene on the child's behalf.

Every year, child abuse and neglect affect more than one million children nation-wide (Currie and Tekin 1). Along with this, child abuse is the source of severe injury to more than 500,000 children and the death of over 1,500 children (Currie and Tekin 1). These outrageously large numbers reveal the extent to which child abuse and neglect impact society; however, they do not acknowledge the effect abuse can have on a child’s life and the repercussions that may occur in both the individual’s childhood and adulthood. While the effects most certainly include physical pain and possibly future disabilities, child abuse and neglect can also affects the child’s psychological welfare. Psychological effects are often more difficult to recognize,

Child abuse and neglect have immediate and long-term consequences. In addition to negatively impacting the child, child abuse and neglect impacts the family, the school community, and even future generations. The ability to survive and be successful in the face of child abuse and neglect depends on a variety of factors, including the extent and type of abuse or neglect, whether it was continual or infrequent, the age of the child when abuse was initiated, the child’s relationship to the abuser, and how the abuse or neglect was responded to. Outcomes are also dependent on the child’s personality traits, inner strength, and the support the child receives from those around them. It is important to acknowledge that some children will not develop behavioral problems, so it cannot be assumed that a

There are many risk factors for whether or not a child will experience neglect. These can include lower maternal age, lower maternal education, maternal depression and the child’s temperament (Kotch et al 1995; DePanfilis 2006). Family risk factors include whether or not the parents are married and the size of the family (Kotch et al 1995). Sociodemographic risks include living in poverty, parental unemployment, the neighborhood, parental beliefs on punishment, parents’ attitudes toward the child (ren), and their overall skills as parents (Kotch et al 1995). Parents who abuse substances such as drugs and alcohol also put their children at a higher risk for neglect (Barth 2009). It is critical for parents to be physically and mentally healthy