Citation

Garbarino J. Child Abuse Negl. 1978; 2(2): 89-99.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1978, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Theorists and practitioners alike believe that emotional abuse exists. Despite this belief, we have made little progress in conceptually and operationally defining emotional abuse. We can make progress in this area by adopting a developmental approach. In this view, emotional abuse is deliberate behavior that seriously undermines the development of competence. Operationally, this means punishing an infant's operant social behavior (including attachment), punishing a child's manifestations of self-esteem and punishing the behaviors needed for normal interaction in extra-familial settings. To apply these standards to specific cases, we must have reliable and valid information about interaction patterns with the family.