Emotional Abuse Case Study

The family environment is an important safeguard in developing a healthy young child (Gibb, 2007). The connection between the parent and child are closely related (Glaser, 2002). When the parents are able to provide a safe and loving environment, children learn to trust the world and trust themselves. But when parents struggle to handle stress, then it leads to psychological abuse due to many different reasons. Studies show that emotional abuse produce pain to child’s growth throughout his adulthood life. From long term studies demonstrated that the child who is going through emotional abuse and maltreatment generates problem with developmental growth (Glaser, 2002). Evidence also showed that childhood emotional abuse may exhibit a specific

Emotional abuse does not have much clear evidence compare to physical abuse. With physical abuse, the victim is validated with physical scars and bruises. However, emotional abuse is sometimes undetectable or unprovable because there is only a barrage of emotional pain in the child. The problem with emotional abuse was not acknowledged up till 1980s (Iwaniec, 2003). In 1981, studies revealed that 2.1 to 1,000 children experienced psychological mistreatment. It is also indicated that 10% to 20% young children and 50% of adolescents were threatened emotionally involving negative words, giving insults and labeling (Loue, 2005). Both boys and girls are most likely to suffer from emotional mistreatment in the same way (ASCA, 2015). Emotional abuse can cause to long term affects in young children. The victim may lack trust and have relationships difficulties, have feelings of worthless, and have trouble regulating emotions. Optimal rearing environment characterized by interparental relationships that are nurturing, engaged, and responsive have been associated with positive developmental outcomes in children (Sturge- Apple,

The child may suffer from low self-esteem (Twaite & Rodgriguez-Srednicki 2004). When the child has good and strong relationship with his family, friends, and surroundings, it brings positive impact on his self-esteem. On the other hand, when parents are speaking negative words to the child, he is feeling embarrassed and ashamed. Therefore, the child has a hard time admitting himself as valuable or not believes how others may view him as an important. Then, he is staying away from other people and avoiding any events. In addition, the child struggles to get along with friends and develops poor social skill (Loue, 2005). He will also face the challenge building a strong connection with others in the future (NSPPC, 2015). The child has difficulty finding a solution to his problem and not being creative. He is being hostile, mad and hurting himself. When the child is experiencing emotional maltreatment in early years, he may be depressed and fearful. Most common, the child does not have enough self-confidence, miserable and do poorly in school (Iwaniec, 2003). Psychological mistreatment is also affecting the child’s physical health. The child is constantly being anxious and worries as well as having trouble going to sleep and experiencing body sore. Furthermore, he is repeatedly speaking untruthful words and refusing to understand the