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Child Abuse and Neglect

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Child Abuse and Neglect
Child Abuse and Neglect
Elizabeth Tukulo
11/23/14

Abstract
Child abuse and neglect is a thorny issue that needs joint efforts to curb. Many children live in fear of being abused at any moment in the United States. Child abuse is considered as the greatest problem that hinder normal development among children as it subjects them to psychological trauma. This research work aims to investigating various concepts relating to child abuse and neglect. The main aim of the research work is to find out Community Psychology involvement in cases of child abuse.
Key words: child abuse, neglect, psychology, intervention, psychologist, psychiatrist, isolation, mental disease

Child Abuse and Neglect
Introduction
Child abuse and neglect is considered to be a social and public health problem that can have significant negative developmental impacts on children from infancy to adulthood (Noll, Shenk & Putnam, 2009). The concept of child maltreatment is a broad and all-encompassing term that is used to describe several ways by which children can be subjected to mistreatment by adults. The abuse is considered to be a violation against children 's rights issue hence attracting the attention of community psychologists. Child maltreatment is defined as any behavior being directed to another individual that contravenes the acceptable norms guiding how people should be conducting themselves and that subjects a child to a significant amount of harm. The nature of child maltreatment goes against the core values of Community Psychology. This is evident in that the practice is contrary to the requirements of morally acceptable human tendencies (Harkness & Lumley, 2008). It indicates human’s inability to nurture each other in adverse life situations, depicts a failure to bond with others and to appreciate the linkages formed with each other. Child abuse and neglect expose children to adverse consequences that affect them throughout their lifetime.
To unearth the matters



References: Baer, J., & Martinez, D. (2006). Child maltreatment and insecure attachment: A meta-analysis. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 24(3): 187-197. Harkness, K., & Lumley, M. (2008). Child abuse and neglect and the development of depression in children and adolescents. In J. Abela & B. Hankin (Eds.), Handbook of depression in children and adolescents. New York. The Guildford Press. McCosy, M. & Keen, S. (2009). Child abuse and neglect. New York. Psychology Press. Noll, J., Shenk, E., & Putnam, K. (2009). Childhood sexual abuse and adolescent pregnancy: A meta-analytic update. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 24(4):366-378. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2007). Child abuse and neglect statistics. Available at <http://www.americanhumane.org/children/stop-child-abuse/fact-sheets/child-abuse-and-neglect-statistics.html>

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