Investigating the Long-Term Effects of Physical Child Abuse Essay

According to Pecora, Sanders, Wilson, English, Puckett & Rudlang-Perman (2014), “Every year in the USA, about 695,000 unique children are confirmed as victims of child maltreatment (US Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Children’s Bureau 2011) (p. 321). Such startling statistics suggest that child abuse is not just a public health issue; it is an epidemic. However, research reveals that prevention is possible through a collaborative effort made by parents, schools, the government, social services, and the

The harshness and length of effects differs depending on the abuse that occurred, the type of child, and the care and treatment. Long term abuse can have short term effects throughout the duration of abuse. Incidents such as abuse by a close friend or family member, long term abuse and self-blame, add to the chance of a negative effect. “Some studies have shown that as many as 80% of young people at the age of 21, who have a history of abuse or neglect in childhood, meet the criteria of at least one psychiatric disorder” (Jelic Tusic, Buljan Flander, & Mateskovic, (2013). Physical effects, like impairment to a child’s developing brain, can have consequences like cognitive delays or emotional problems. Psychological issues frequently display high-risk behaviors. Things like depression and anxiety could influence someone to smoke, abuse drugs and/or alcohol, or overeat. High risk behaviors can lead to health issues such as sexually transmitted diseases, cancer, and obesity. Child physical abuse is reportedly more likely to occur in females than males. Those who experience the abuse are more likely to be widowed, separated, or divorced and to have accomplished a lower educational success. “A majority of victims of CPA had a lifetime history of a least one psychiatric disorder” (Sugaya, Hasin,

Child abuse is epidemic in many countries as well as the United States. It is estimated that every thirteen seconds a child is abused in some manner: physically, sexually, emotionally or by neglect (Friedman). Each year, there are over 3 million reports of child abuse in the United States involving more than 6 million children. Child abuse can be reduced with proper education of the parents and with greater public awareness.

Some other effects of being physically abused are problems controlling their emotions; they are less competent

Children react to their environment in different ways, and those reactions can vary, depending on the child 's gender and age. Children exposed to family violence are more likely to develop behavioral, emotional, psychological, and social problems than those who are not. Recent research indicates that children who witness domestic violence show anger and temperament problems, depression, low self-esteem, and more anxiety than children who do not witness violence in the home. The trauma they experience can show up in behavioral, physical, social, and emotional disturbances that affect their development and can continue into adulthood.

The author of this book ,Stuart was abused by his step father that almost ruined his life and ended up in hospital, but in this book he writes about how he survived the

This research is to distinguish whether the children, who are exposed to violence or abuse, if left unaddressed or ignored, are at an increased risk for emotional and behavioral problems in the future. Children who are abused may not be able to express their feelings safely and as a result, may develop difficulties regulating their emotions. As adults, they may continue to struggle with their feelings, which can

The things people through because of love or out of fear may surprising. Physical abuse is a wide range problem that affects many Americans today especially children and their development. This topic was covered by Jamie Hanson’s research on how the child’s brain development was affected by serious abuse and stress. Sarah Font also researched how abuse affects cognitive performance in school. Pamela Korsmeyer in addition researched how many children are abused and have died from abuse.

A number of devastating psychological effects have been attributed to abuse in childhood (Sansone, Kelley, & Forbis, 2013). The mental health effects that may be caused are anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), low self-esteem and may cause suicidal thoughts. Usually the aggressor tries to scare the person to not speak about what is going on or they just feel so ashamed it takes time for them to speak up.

When a child who has been abused begins school they approach the classroom setting, similar to a dog that has been abused by its owner approaches other humans, the child approaches the classroom with a skeptical attitude (Fink, A. H., & Janssen, K. N, 1992). They are constantly avoiding

In the study Differential Profiles of Adaptive Behavior of Maltreated Children they compared the differences in adaptive behavior between children who were abused, neglected, and a comparison group. Children who had been abused had a lower adaptive behavior then the comparison group, but the neglected children had a “moderately low range for all three domains” (Viezel, Lowell, Davis, Castillo 2014 p. 577). With the findings they suggested that neglected children would have delays in coping skills, personal care skills, expressive communication, and the inability to participate in appropriate play. “This is consistent with previous research that suggested; youth who were neglected experienced difficulties in social interactions, social withdrawal, and isolation” (Viezel et al 2014 p. 577). Child neglect has yet to gain a lot of attention or interventions when compared to child physical abuse, this is concerning since research suggests that child neglect has significant delays to their

In other instances, the parent can confiscate the child’s belongings or force the children to strip down naked and be photographed as a form of punishment. Considering the types of abuse that these children experience, there are psychological effects that can affect their life as they get older. The effects of household abuse can extend outside the home and affect the child in their performance in society. “Children Exposed to Domestic Violence” states that children exposed to family violence can experience difficulties in paying attention and staying on task (Geffner 39). Abused children are prone to externalizing problems which causes children to act out. Externalizing problems include temper tantrums, impulsivity, hyperactivity, aggression, conflict, cruelty and bullying. Another issue that abused children develop are internalizing problems. Internalizing problems are issues such as headaches, sleep disturbances, anxiety, fear of separation, social withdraw and depression. This overall causes the children to be less engaged in tasks and in normal behaviors.

This article paper aims at providing an overview of the article “The long-term health consequences of child physical abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect: a systematic review and meta-analysis” by Norman, et.al. The research aims at highlighting the evidence that relates child physical and sexual abuse, emotional abuse and neglect with the subsequent mental and physical health outcomes. Child physical abuse, emotional violence, sexual assault, and neglect are some of the most severe concerns affecting children and our society as a whole. These behaviors have adverse short-term and long-term physical and psychological effects on children. The study of child physical and sexual abuse by sociologists has intensified in the recent past as sociology of childhood has emerged as a crucial area of study. Sociology of childhood emphasizes the role played by communities and different cultures in shaping and defining childhood experiences.

Considering the large number of children who are victims of child abuse, it is important to investigate not only the immediate effects of abuse, but also the long-term effects on the child’s well-being. Exposure to childhood maltreatment is a non-specific risk factor associated with many short and long term negative outcomes ranging from externalizing and internalizing behaviors, dissociative symptoms and self-harm behaviors, and adaptability and coping skills (Jackson, Gabrielli, Fleming, Tunno, & Makanui, 2014). When a child grows up in a home environment characterized by hostile interpersonal relationships, physical maltreatment, or neglect he or she is at risk for long-term developmental concerns regarding physiological, social, emotional,

Child abuse in American today is amongst the most saddened topics of mankind. Many children are subjected to neglect and abuse on a daily basis. The sex and age of child makes no difference when it comes to child abuse.. Boys and girls are equally likely to suffer maltreatment. The problem is how often child abuse goes unreported. Millions of children across the world are abused in some way, whether it is verbal, emotional, physical or sexual. Child abuse has been happening all over the world to young children, however many children keep this a secret because of fear of what could happen. Child Abuse consists of any act of commission or omission that endangers or impairs a child’s physical or emotional health and development. It can be