Emotional Abuse Research Paper

The next category of abuse is emotional abuse. This form is one of the most difficult to recognize because the majority of the signs and symptoms are behavioral, very rarely are there physical signs. The common behavioral indicators are irrational or persistent fears, behavioral extremes, sudden change in personality, depression, or loss of interest. The physical indicators include sudden grade changes, habit disorders in older children (rocking, biting, thumb sucking), or cutting/ physical harm. In cases of emotional abuse it is often easier to detect abusive behavior the adults show toward the child. They will often belittle the child, ignore or terrorize them, or repeatedly giving the child contradictory messages that leave the child confused
and incapable of pleasing the adult (“A Guide” 10). Lastly, is signs and symptoms a child has been neglected. Neglect is different than the other forms of abuse in that it is often chronic and has lasting effects on the health of the child. The common physical indicators are constant hunger, lack of adequate clothing and good hygiene, clothing disproportionate with weather conditions, lack of medical or dental care, failure to thrive physically or emotionally. The behavior indicators of neglect are begging for or stealing food, constant fatigue, the child states there is no caregiver, behavior extremes or development of habits. Knowledge of the indicators of child abuse will assist teacher, doctors, and parents to report abuse when they become aware of a child showing symptoms. Kansas City needs to work to educate these individuals in our society in order to lower the rates of child abuse and protect children who have already experienced abuse. If adults are there to support the children and teach about the importance of disclosure and reporting abuse, there will be a greater importance placed on ending child maltreatment.