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Psychological effects of child abuse
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Adult development is crucial to the success of an individual and their quality of life. But there are many factors that can delay a person from reaching certain milestones. When accessing a person who has experienced child abuse, these delays become prominent. Because individuals have to suffer trauma during childhood development, these events can cause lifelong issues. One of the major issues that develop is that of mental health disorders. These disorders ultimately have both lasting results and can correlate to other major issues. From the beginning, because of the lack of establishing healthy emotional bonds with adults, it can often cause mental health disorders. These mental health and attachment disorders can continue to affect the developmental process in adulthood in the areas of maintaining maintaining healthy relationships. Gainful …show more content…
employment also becomes a challenge because of the presenting issues and can be relevant to the inability to maintain healthy romantic and family relationships. Because these individuals have never learned effective coping skills when dealing with stress, they often times depend on substances to meet these needs. But when looking at the correlation of these previous issues, health issues can also play a major influence on the ability for the abused adult to mature and reach developmental milestones successfully. Adult development is an area that has been studied and there are major milestones that have been discovered. When looking at the inability to reach certain milestones, it become evident that each major milestone is directly correlated to another. In studying the affects of child abuse on the successful development of the adult, this correlation is even more evident. According to studies, the…” failure to attain critical developmental milestones (what we label developmental roles or milestones) is problematic and increases a person’s risk of negative outcomes in adulthood.” (Allwood, and Widom, 2013, p. 552) The ablity to cope with life and with life stressors are detrimental skills that are needed as the adult moves through adulthood. These coping skills are developed and nurtured in our childhoods in homes that are loving and warm and allow critical thinking and decision making skills to be developed. When a child lives in an abusive home, these skills are diminished, or even non-existent. The inability to express emotions effectively, to trust others, to interact with others successfully at a social level, and to cope with stressors causes lifelong problems that can cause the adult to not mature. These, among other environmental influences can lead to mental health disabilities. According to studies, “The majority of victims of CPA [Child Physical Abuse] had a lifetime history of at least one psychiatric disorder (84%; SE = 0.88). Individuals with CPA had higher overall prevalence of psychiatric disorders and higher rates of suicide attempts than individuals without CPA.” (Sugaya, Hasin, Olfson, Lin.Grant and Blanco, 2012, pg. 387) These disorders can often be deabilitating and cause difficulty in the adults ability to maintain jobs, healthy relationships, and can even cause substance abuse. “After additionally including lifetime psychiatric comorbidities, several disorders remained significantly associated with CPA, including in descending order of strength of association: ADHD, PTSD, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, drug abuse, nicotine dependence, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder (Table 4).” (Sugaya, Hasin, Olfson, Lin.Grant and Blanco, 2012, pg. 387) Because mental health and substance abuse issues can be so diabilitating, it can and generally dose lead to the person to have the inability to attach to others. Attachment theorist propose that each pseron has formed an internal working model of attachment relationships, which are a set of beliefs and assumptions about the nature of all relationships, as whether others will respond if you need then and whether others are trustworthy:” ( Bjorklund, 2015, p. 171) this then is taken further and believed that “Adults with secure attachment orientations believe that the world is a safe place, and they welcome the cahallenes that life present them.” ( Bjorklund, 2015, p. 171) According to the text, “This inability to attach causes lifelong problems with the individual that includes increased mental health symptoms, poor social skills and the inability to be a productive adult. According to studies, “…the quality of children's interactions with caregivers is internalized. Over time, these internalizations form templates that provide children with an internal processing system that influences the way they perceive, relate to, and experience themselves and others in the world (Fonagy et al., 2002; Kealy, Ogrodniczuk, & Howell-Jones, 2011).”( Bedi, Muller, & Thornback, 2013, p. 233) The lack of skills needed to form healthy relationships can develop because “experiences such as neglect, abuse, or early separation from caregivers are thought to result in the development of negative expectations of others and a sense of self as worthless and deserving of abuse (Blizard & Bluhm, 1994; Briere & Elliott, 1994; Fonagy et al., 2002; Kealy et al., 2011; Lovett, 2007; Zornig & Levy, 2011).” ).”( Bedi, Muller, & Thornback (2013) p. 233) These children grow up with “… at least one negative working model, an insecure attachment style, and experience more interpersonal difficulties in adulthood (Swanson and Mallinckrodt 2001). This then leads to the adult having a difficult time maintaining romantic relationships. “In several studies, both men and women with histories of childhood abuse and neglect reported greater instability in their romantic relationships (Colman and Widom 2004; Fleming et al. 1999; Whisman 2006)” (p.554) The link to both mental health disorders and the inability to formulate healthy attachments to others also can hugely affect the ability for this person to maintain gainful employment. Having a successful career is another major milestone for adults to reach. The success of being able to sustain a certain amount of income directly relates to where a person lives, the quality of a persons’ life and even their status in society. Research has shown how abuse can negatively affect the ability to maintain gainful employment over the course of adulthood. “A recent article (Currie and Widom 2010) reported that adults with documented histories of childhood abuse and/or neglect had lower levels of employment, earnings, and fewer assets as adults, compared to matched control children.” (Allwood, and Widom, 2013, p. 554) In fact, studies have “…found that adults who experienced childhood neglect were 18 times more likely to claim employment disability, especially psychiatric disability, compared to adults without a history of child maltreatment.” (Allwood, and Widom, 2013, p. 554) As we can see, there is a strong correlation of multiple factors that can play a part in low achievement in this area and the inability to achieve then leads to many negatives including low self-esteem and self-worth a person has throughout their adult life. Because of the poor coping skills and reactions to life stressors, many of these adults engage into substance abuse.
Unfortunately, many abused children learned from early to utilize substances as a coping mechanisms to deal with stressors or crisis situations. This also can be the spiraling negative effect of the adult being delayed from reaching prominat milestones. The stressors of having been a victim of a, or even multiple, traumatic events, also suffer from the reoccurring thoughts of the event, which often times lead them to drug or alcohol abuse. Then, because of their poor coping skills, the inability to reach certain milestones can cause an increased need to use substances as a way to cope. Studies have shown that not only is alcohol the most abused substance in developing countries, but that “Alcohol may be used as a way to reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness, as a method of self-medication in an attempt to gain control over what the victims have experienced, as a way to improve self-esteem, or as a means with which to gain relief from the persistent memories of abuse.”( Makhija and Sher, (2007) p.
306) But as much as the person abuses alcohol or any other substances as a coping mechanism, this can negatively affect their family. There are cases that have been studied, where the abused adult has been able to establish a family, but often experience family problems because theyu have these difficulties. According to studies, “Families that suffer with substance abuse are more at risk for domestic violence, mental illness, divorce, and sexual and physical abuse than other families.”( Jesuraj, 2012, p. 43) Substance abuse is common in this population and the effects of their substance can cause even greater divide in the maturation of themselves and the healthy developing adult. In looking at the effects on child abuse and the development of the adult across their lifespan, it can be seen that the person’s physical health is also at stake. “In a multi-country survey, Scott and colleagues found that individuals who suffered three or more childhood traumas were more likely to development adult-onset heart disease, asthma, diabetes mellitus, arthritis, chronic spinal pain and chronic headaches (hazard ratios 1.44–2.19).” These issues can be correlated to the side effects of some mental health disorders as well. These symptoms can often times be deabilitating and problematic to the daily functioning of the individual. This also can cause the inability for the person to maintain gainful employment. These factors are often times coupled with the abuse of substances which causes additional health issues. In just the brief examples listed, it can be seen that when looking at adult development, it can be seen that there are a lot of correlating factors that can cause a person not to meet major milestones, and as professionals it is important to be able to assess a person from not just their presenting issues, but be able to trace their issues back to a starting point and work forward.
Rodriguez-Srednicki, Ofelia, and James A. Twaite. Understanding, Assessing, and Treating Adult Victims of Childhood Abuse. Lanham, MD: Jason Aronson, 2006. Print.
The effects of childhood sexual abuse carry on with the children forever. To what extent and to what effect does abuse have on children during adulthood? What are the main issues that adults have been abused suffer from in adulthood? Do they have more of a physical issue with preforming with their partner in the bedroom or do they have more of a mental block due to their trauma? The world had been asking these questions for far too long and we need answers on how helping the children of our world. The questions that have been stated have been answered through the two articles that will be summarized below.
The crippling effects of alcoholism and drug dependency are not confined to the addict alone. The family suffers, physically and emotionally, and it is the children who are the most disastrous victims. Frequently neglected and abused, they lack the maturity to combat the terrifying destructiveness of the addict’s behavior. As adults these individuals may become compulsively attracted to the same lifestyle as their parents, excessive alcohol and drug abuse, destructive relationships, antisocial behavior, and find themselves in an infinite loop of feelings of emptiness, futility, and despair. Behind the appearance of calm and success, Adult Children of Alcoholics often bear a sad, melancholy and haunted look that betrays their quietest confidence. In the chilling silence of the darkest nights of their souls, they yearn for intimacy: their greatest longing, and deepest fear. Their creeping terror lives as the child of years of emotional, and sometimes physical, family violence.
Lemoncelli, John, and Robert S. Shaw. Healing from Childhood Abuse: Understanding the Effects, Taking Control to Recover. ABC-CLIO,
From the individual perspective, the client was a victim of child abuse, which led to feelings of fear and sadness and a desire to avoid these emotions. Socially, she came from a family of alcoholics giving her easy availability. There was also the pressure of keeping up appearances due to her mother’s status in society. The initial individual consequences of the client’s alcohol use were reinforcing. She felt invincible, warm, and it helped her avoid the thoughts in her head. Everything was right with the world as long as she was intoxicated.
Drugs and alcohol have been used for medical and recreational purposes throughout history. With advancement of technology it has become easier and easier to access these substances. It is not only illegal drugs but prescription drugs that are being misused and wreaking havoc across the world. Even with billions of dollars being paid out to stop the war on drugs, the problem persists. People from all walks of life have been affected by drugs or are becoming drug addicts themselves. One particular group afflicted by the misuse of these substances is the children of drug addicted parents. According to Cattapan and Grimwade, “Drug use seen in one generation affects the lives of the next”. Children with one or both parents on drugs face huge disadvantages. They suffer from physical abuse, and emotional trauma with lifelong effects and their family unit is torn apart. Social institutions are being overloaded with the need to help or relocate these children.
Many researchers link behavioral problems in adulthood to childhood abuse. One researcher says that "An adult who was sexually abused as a child has a greater chance of becoming violent, suicidal, and abusive to their children than an adult who was not abused sexually as a child" (Kliest 155). These characteristics could hinder a victim from living a normal lifestyle and having a family. Kliest also states, "Adults who were abused sexually as children will have a greater chance than those who were not of experiencing sexual dysfunction, such as flashbacks, difficulty in arousal, and phobic reactions to sexual intimacy" (156). Many researchers agree that childhood sexual abuse has a negative effect on an adult's personal relationships. Another researcher states, "A history of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) appears to have an adverse impact on the quality of adult intimate relationships, and they report avoiding the development of close adult relationships because of their fear of rejection" (Whiffen 1103).
Childhood Trauma is defined as “The experience of an event by a child that is emotionally painful or distressful, which often results in lasting mental and physical effects.” (The National Institute of Mental Health). Childhood trauma is an epidemic that seems to be running its way throughout the world. Childhood trauma is a worldwide problem that can affect anyone and everyone. People tend to just try and help the problems that occur due to the childhood trauma, but not the problem itself. Many of these issues will also follow the child into their adult years and will cause negative effects. This paper will discuss the negative outcomes for a child who suffers from childhood trauma, and the negative outcomes that can follow them into adulthood.
Late adulthood should be a time in a person's life where they feel fulfilled. They can look back on their memories and be happy with the way they have lived their life. Now, too many elderly people are not satisfied and look at this stage as depressing. Most fear death of either a loved one or for themselves. This topic is interesting to me because elderly people should make the best of their last stage of life. This topic discusses about getting older, the life changes that they go through physically, emotionally, and mentally. We should know more about it so that we can help our family and friends get through one of the best, yet toughest part of our mortal life.
Chartier, M.J., Walker, J.R., Nalmark, B. (2009). Health Risk Behaviors and Mental Health Problems as Mediators of the Relationship Between Childhood Abuse and Adult Health, 847-854
There are several domains that must be considered when treating a survivor of child abuse: the need for safety and trust, sense of belonging, protection from perceived or actual threats, facing the defendant in court, prevention of revictimization, and empowerment (Sawyer & Judd, 2012). Davis, 2005, states that “children terrorized through sexual abuse, neglect, physical abuse, or wartime atrocities may suffer from lasting wounds, nightmares, depression, and troubled adolescence involving substance abuse, binge eating, or aggression.” Victims of child abuse need to regain their sense of control over their lives. Experiencing healthy relationships, being nurtured by adults and helping them to learn resilience are all interventions that have been well-documented (Sawyer & Judd, 2...
For instance, according to [31] children are expected to behave in a manner that is not age‐ appropriate. Likewise, children of alcohol abused families may experience feelings of neglect, anxiety, fear, anger. More so, children are confused because they cannot figure out the limitations of right and wrong. As a result, the problem translates to cognitive, behavioral, psychosocial, and emotional consequences for children [41]. Most welfare experts (79.6%) report that alcohol abuse causes or adds to at any rate half of all cases of child abuse; 39.7% say it is a factor in more 75% of the cases
Alcoholism is not a disease that effects just the drinker. In time alcoholism will literally tear apart a family. At first communications in a family will be disrupted, then hatred will develop toward the abuser(s), and sure to follow is the physical abuse. In today’s society children suffer a great deal of emotional, psychological, and physical pain due to parental abuse of alcohol.
The effects of child abuse are multiple. The pain and trauma the abused child goes through is just a small part of how this cauldron of hidden depravity in our society affects all of us. Wrecked lives can be seen in persons of all ages and in all walks of life. Society as a whole is also effected by child abuse both in negative and positive ways. In this essay I will present some of the factor and results of this violent behavior on individuals as well as our culture.
Child abuse has become a chronic and common issue in the country today. In the United States of America, an estimated three million children are victims of abuse every year. Whether the abuse is physical, emotional, sexual, or neglect, the scars can be deep and can have a negative effect on a child’s education. According to academic research preformed at Brown University in April 1996, it was noted that abused children have a harder time maintaining good grades in school due to their stressful home lives, which leads to a lack of focus in the classroom. These issues are severely hurting the education of many children which damages their conscious development. Unstable households are the number one cause of children not performing at the level of proficiency in the classroom. (Family Mobility Helps) There are four different types of abuse, but the effects are similar, which is physical, or emotional harm placed upon the child. There are certain types of abuse that are often harder to identify. Neglect is the most common form of child abuse. Family members and caregivers are the abusers in most cases. Research has shown there are three major reasons why abuses children suffer academically. The reasons are withdrawal, poor communication/social skills, and behavioral problems. Child abuse does not only hurt a child’s education, but can lead to deaths. Therefore prevention is the key to the success of a child’s future. (Rynders)