Diagnosis : Emotional and Psychological Abuse
In general, all abused and maltreated children are also emotionally abused. For the purposes of this section, emotional and psychological abuse are considered together and terms used interchangeably, as they have similar effects on the child. In this type of abuse, the perpetrator uses non-physical tactics to control, manipulate, and harm a child’s emotional well-being and mental health. Emotional abuse can also occur when physical needs are excessively provided. This includes overprotection of children, overfeeding leading to obesity, and excessive medical care.
Types of Psychological Maltreatment
- Spurning
- ridiculing for showing normal emotions
- Terrorizing
- rigid or unrealistic expectations accompanied by threats, or placing in a chaotic unpredictable circumstance
- Exploiting/Corrupting
- encouraging antisocial or developmentally inappropriate behavior
- Denying emotional responsiveness
- providing little warmth and being emotionally detached
- Isolating
- restricting social interactions
- Mental health, medical and/or educational neglect
- limiting a child’s access to these services necessary for health and growth
Adapted from Hart SN, Brassard MR, Binggeli NJ, et al. Psychological maltreatment. In ###ART###420-2002-Myers-JEB-APSAC Handbook### 79-104.
Sustained and repetitive psychological abuse that damages the developmental potential of the child may include interpersonal violence, desertion (abandonment), and exploitation. Lack of affection, resulting in rejection of the child or open verbal hostility towards the child, can be considered emotional neglect. Emotional neglect is often difficult to diagnose. For more information, see the Curbside Consult Intimate Partner Violence.
