Psychological Abuse in Children: Signs and Resources

Ozarks Healthcare

29 Sept 202130:50

EducationalLearning

32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script discusses the insidious nature of psychological abuse in children, also known as emotional abuse. It outlines various forms of this abuse, including isolation, verbal aggression, intimidation, and controlling behavior. The script emphasizes that psychological abuse is difficult to identify and prove due to its non-physical nature, but it has severe consequences on a child's emotional development and self-worth. The speakers highlight nine categories of psychological abuse, such as rejection, scorn, terrorism, isolation, corruption, and exploitation, among others. They also discuss the importance of recognizing symptoms in children, which may manifest as difficulties in school, eating disorders, emotional issues, and sleep disorders. The script provides statistics on the prevalence of psychological abuse, noting that it often occurs alongside physical or sexual abuse. It also covers risk factors for child maltreatment and the long-term effects on children's physical and psychological health. The speakers stress the importance of believing children who disclose abuse, reporting suspected cases, and collaborating with families and communities to provide support and resources. They conclude with a case study that illustrates the profound impact of love, care, and attention on a child's growth and development.

Takeaways

📚 Psychological abuse in children can also be referred to as emotional abuse and includes behaviors such as isolating, verbal aggression, threats, intimidation, and harassment.
🤯 This type of abuse is difficult to prove because it does not leave physical marks and involves the deliberate use of words and non-physical actions to manipulate and control the child.
🚫 A pattern of psychological abuse can impair a child's emotional development and sense of self-worth, leading to low self-esteem and constant feelings of worthlessness.
🏠 Withholding love, support, and guidance is a form of psychological abuse where parents or caregivers refuse to offer affection or acknowledgment of a child's achievements.
🔢 Psychological abuse is categorized into nine different types, including rejection, scorn, terrorism, isolation, corruption, emotional neglect, exposure to domestic violence, and a lack of regard for the child.
👀 Witnessing domestic violence is a form of psychological abuse in itself, with severe psychological effects on children, including fear, hostility, and anxiety.
📉 Nearly 300 million children aged two to four suffer from physical punishment and/or psychological violence regularly, with parents or caregivers being the primary perpetrators.
🤰 Risk factors for child maltreatment include the child's age, special needs, LGBTQ identity, and caregiver factors like difficulty bonding, substance abuse, and mental health issues.
💰 The societal cost of child maltreatment is significant, with non-fatal incidents costing approximately $831,000 per child for a lifetime.
👍 To help children suffering from psychological abuse, it's crucial to believe them, report suspected abuse, and collaborate with families and communities to provide support and resources.
🌟 Protective factors like teaching self-regulation skills, encouraging positive peer relationships, and providing a supportive community can serve as a buffer against the negative effects of child maltreatment.

Q & A

What is psychological abuse sometimes referred to as?
-Psychological abuse is sometimes referred to as emotional abuse.
What are some examples of psychological abuse towards children?
-Examples include isolating a child, verbal aggression, threats, intimidation, controlling behavior, harassment, and public humiliation.
How does psychological abuse affect a child's development?
-Psychological abuse impairs a child's emotional development and sense of self-worth, often leading to low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and difficulties in forming healthy relationships.
What are the nine categories of psychological abuse seen in children?
-The nine categories include rejection, scorn, terrorism, isolation, corruption/exploitation, absence of emotional response, exposure to domestic violence, lack of regard, and threats of harsh punishment or death.
Why is psychological abuse difficult to prove?
-Psychological abuse is difficult to prove because it does not leave physical marks and often involves manipulation and non-physical actions that can be hard to detect or document.
What are some signs that may indicate a child is experiencing psychological abuse?
-Signs may include difficulties in school, eating disorders, emotional issues, acting out for attention, sleep disorders, physical complaints, and an inability to trust.
According to the World Health Organization, what are some risk factors for child maltreatment?
-Risk factors include the child being under the age of four or an adolescent, feeling unwanted, having parents with unrealistic expectations, being a child with special needs, being LGBTQ, and having a parent or caregiver with a history of maltreatment, substance abuse, or mental health issues.
What is the role of a mandated reporter in cases of suspected child abuse?
-A mandated reporter's role is to report any suspected concerns of child abuse to the appropriate hotline or authorities without needing to find evidence or investigate the claim themselves.
What is the significance of the case study involving 'the boy who was raised as a dog'?
-The case study illustrates the critical importance of love, care, and physical attention for a child's growth and development, and how the lack of these elements can lead to severe developmental issues.
What is the long-term impact of psychological abuse on a child's physical health?
-Long-term impacts can include higher rates of physical health problems such as diabetes, heart conditions, arthritis, high blood pressure, and cancer.
How can society help prevent and address child psychological abuse?
-Society can help by believing and supporting children, reporting suspected abuse, collaborating with families and communities, teaching parenting skills, and providing positive activities and environments for children.
What is the cost to society for non-fatal incidents of child maltreatment?
-According to a CDC study from 2015, non-fatal incidents of child maltreatment cost society approximately 831 thousand dollars per child for a lifetime.

Outlines

00:00

😀 Understanding Psychological Abuse in Children

The first paragraph introduces Rochelle Smith and Julie Posey, both therapists at Behavioral Health Care, who are discussing psychological abuse in children. They explain that psychological abuse can also be known as emotional abuse and includes behaviors like isolating, threatening, intimidating, and controlling a child. The abuse is not physical but uses words and non-physical actions to manipulate and cause emotional harm. The effects of such abuse can lead to impaired emotional development and low self-esteem in children. The paragraph also outlines different types of psychological abuse, including rejection, scorn, terrorism, isolation, corruption, emotional neglect, exposure to domestic violence, and a lack of regard for the child.

05:00

🔍 Identifying Signs and Statistics of Psychological Abuse

The second paragraph delves into the importance of recognizing the symptoms of psychological abuse in children, as they may not be physically visible. It mentions difficulties in school, eating disorders, emotional issues, sleep disorders, physical complaints, and an inability to trust as potential signs. The paragraph provides statistics, noting that nearly 300 million children suffer from physical punishment or psychological violence. It also emphasizes that psychological abuse is often perpetrated by parents or caregivers and is one of the most challenging and prevalent forms of child maltreatment. Risk factors for child maltreatment are also discussed, including those related to the child, parent or caregiver, and the community.

10:01

👶 Risk Factors and Consequences for Children and Society

The third paragraph focuses on specific risk factors for child maltreatment, particularly for those under the age of four or adolescents. It highlights the vulnerability of children with special needs, intellectual disabilities, or those who identify as LGBTQ. Parental risk factors include difficulty bonding with a child, substance abuse, mental health issues, and involvement in criminal activities. The paragraph also discusses relationship and community factors that increase the risk of psychological abuse. It outlines the long-term consequences of abuse, such as difficulties with attachment, anti-social behavior, and physical health problems. The societal costs of child maltreatment are also considered, emphasizing the high lifetime costs for non-fatal and fatal incidents.

15:02

🤝 How to Help and Support Children Affected by Abuse

The fourth paragraph emphasizes the importance of believing and supporting children who may be victims of psychological abuse. It stresses the role of mandated reporters in reporting suspected abuse and the necessity of involving school administration and counseling offices. The paragraph discusses the need for collaboration with families and teaching proper parenting skills. It also highlights the role of protective factors in helping children overcome the effects of maltreatment. These factors include self-regulation skills, a sense of purpose, positive peer relationships, and community support. The paragraph concludes by encouraging individuals to make a positive impact on a child's life, no matter how small that impact may seem.

20:02

📚 Protective Factors and Community Responsibility

The fifth paragraph continues the discussion on protective factors, emphasizing the role of the community in fostering positive environments for children. It suggests that schools should be supportive and that children should be encouraged to participate in positive activities. The paragraph also discusses the importance of identifying and redirecting children who are hanging out with the wrong crowd. It stresses the responsibility of the community to provide positive spaces and activities for children to engage in, thereby serving as a protective umbrella against risk factors.

25:05

📖 Case Study: The Impact of Love, Care, and Attention

The sixth paragraph presents a case study from the book 'The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog' by Dr. Bruce Perry. It discusses the story of Laura, a four-year-old girl who failed to thrive despite medical interventions. The case highlights the importance of love, care, and physical attention for a child's growth and development. It explains how Laura's mother, Virginia, due to her own history in the foster care system, struggled to provide the necessary emotional and physical nurturing. The paragraph describes how a foster parent, Mama P, was able to help Laura thrive by providing the care and attention she needed, demonstrating the profound impact that relationships can have on a child's well-being.

30:07

📚 References and Conclusion

The seventh and final paragraph provides references for further information on psychological abuse in children. It thanks the audience for their time and attention and invites any questions or follow-ups, directing them to contact Behavioral Health Care for more information.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Psychological Abuse

Psychological abuse, also known as emotional abuse, refers to a pattern of behavior that harms a child's emotional development or sense of self-worth. It involves the regular and deliberate use of words and non-physical actions to manipulate, hurt, weaken, or frighten a child. In the video, examples include isolating a child, verbal aggression, threats, intimidation, and withholding love and support.

💡Isolation

Isolation is a form of psychological abuse where a child is intentionally separated or cut off from social interactions. This can be physical, such as forcing a child to eat alone in their room, or social, by excluding them from family activities. In the video, it is mentioned as one of the categories of psychological abuse, highlighting its detrimental effects on a child's social development.

💡Low Self-Esteem

Low self-esteem refers to a negative view of one's own worth, leading to feelings of inadequacy and failure. In the context of the video, psychological abuse can result in a child developing low self-esteem due to constant criticism, threats, rejection, and humiliation. An example from the script is the child being made to feel useless or worthless through rejection.

💡Scorn

Scorn is a deep contempt or轻视, often expressed through ridicule and humiliation. It is identified in the video as a type of psychological abuse where a child is demeaned and made to feel ashamed. This can involve constant insults and belittling, which can severely damage a child's emotional well-being.

💡Terrorism

In the context of psychological abuse towards children, terrorism involves the use of threats and intimidation to control or manipulate a child's behavior. This can include threats of physical harm to the child or others, abandonment, or destruction of the child's possessions. The video script mentions this as a method used by parents to exert control, causing fear and distress.

💡Corruption or Exploitation

Corruption or exploitation in the context of child abuse refers to encouraging inappropriate behaviors or exposing a child to harmful influences. This could involve anti-social role models, treating the child as a servant, or encouraging participation in sexual activities. The video emphasizes this as a form of psychological abuse that can have severe and long-lasting effects on a child's development.

💡Emotional Neglect

Emotional neglect is the failure to provide the emotional care and support that a child needs, which can include ignoring a child's presence, not comforting them when needed, and not acknowledging their achievements. The video discusses this as a form of psychological abuse where the absence of emotional response can lead to developmental issues and a lack of trust.

💡Domestic Violence Exposure

Exposure to domestic violence refers to children witnessing violence or aggression within the family, which can be as damaging as direct abuse. The video script notes that even if the child is not the direct victim, witnessing such events can lead to fear, hostility, and anxiety, and is considered a form of psychological abuse.

💡Risk Factors

Risk factors for child maltreatment are conditions or characteristics that increase the likelihood of abuse or neglect. The video outlines various risk factors, including the child's age, special needs, LGBTQ identity, and parental factors such as difficulty bonding with a newborn, substance abuse, and mental health issues. These factors are crucial for identifying potential abuse situations and implementing preventive measures.

💡Protective Factors

Protective factors are elements that can help prevent or mitigate the effects of child maltreatment. The video discusses the importance of teaching self-regulation skills, fostering a sense of purpose, encouraging positive peer relationships, and providing a supportive community. These factors serve as a buffer against the negative impact of risk factors and promote a child's resilience and well-being.

💡Failure to Thrive

Failure to thrive (FTT) is a condition in children where they do not gain weight or grow at the expected rate, often due to a combination of physical, emotional, and social factors. In the video, Laura, a four-year-old girl, is diagnosed with FTT, which is linked to the lack of emotional and physical stimulation from her mother, illustrating the profound impact of psychological abuse on a child's physical health.

Highlights

Psychological abuse in children, also known as emotional abuse, includes isolating, verbal aggression, threats, intimidation, and controlling behavior.

Examples of psychological abuse involve insulting, humiliating children, and manipulating them to do what the abuser wants.

Parents using threats to hurt the child or their siblings is a form of psychological abuse that is difficult to prove due to its non-physical nature.

Psychological abuse impairs a child's emotional development and self-worth, leading to low self-esteem.

Withholding love, support, and guidance is a tactic of psychological abuse that can lead to children feeling worthless.

Psychological abuse is categorized into nine different types, including rejection, scorn, terrorism, isolation, corruption, and exploitation.

The absence of emotional response from a parent, such as ignoring a child's needs, is a form of psychological abuse.

Witnessing domestic violence is a form of psychological abuse for children, with severe psychological effects.

Risk factors for child maltreatment include the child's age, special needs, LGBTQ identity, and caregiver factors like substance abuse and mental health issues.

The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that psychological maltreatment can be the most challenging and prevalent form of child abuse.

Children who experience psychological abuse may exhibit difficulties in school, eating disorders, emotional issues, and acting out behaviors.

Nearly 300 million children ages two to four suffer physical punishment and/or psychological violence from a parent or caregiver.

The cost of non-fatal child maltreatment to society is $831,000 per child for a lifetime, highlighting the societal impact of abuse.

Believing and reporting suspected child abuse is crucial, with mandated reporters not required to find evidence, but to report concerns.

Collaborating with families and teaching proper parenting skills can help prevent psychological abuse.

Protective factors such as self-regulation skills, positive peer relationships, and community support can help overcome the effects of child maltreatment.

The case study of 'The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog' illustrates the importance of love, care, and attention for a child's growth and development.

Relationships can heal the harm caused by abusive relationships, emphasizing the importance of positive, caring adult figures in a child's life.

Transcripts

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