Citation

Doyle C. Child Abuse Rev. 1997; 6(5): 330-342.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1997, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/(SICI)1099-0852(199712)6:5<330::AID-CAR355>3.0.CO;2-C

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article provides an overview of research into the emotional abuse of children, where it is the main or sole form of abuse. The aim of the project was to make a contribution to intervention in cases of psychological maltreatment. In order to do so, issues of definition, prevalence, location, manifestation and current intervention were explored. Both quantitative and qualitative data were required in order to address different aspects of the issues to be explored. Additionally, professional 'provider' perspectives as well as 'consumer' ones were sought. Information was therefore obtained from three sources: semi-structured interviews with 112 child protection professionals, a population survey of 504 students and in-depth interviews with 12 adult survivors of childhood emotional abuse. Outcomes included a suggested operational definition and an indication of prevalence. Emotional abuse appeared to be found in a broad range of families although it was more prominent in those exposed to multiple stressors. Abusive behaviours were identified and categorized. Signs in the children were varied but included attempted suicide or self-harm, eating disorders and school problems. A notable contribution of the study was the identification of the importance of lifelines for emotionally abused children which provided them with unconditional, positive regard. © 1997 John Wiley and Sons, Ltd.

Language: en

Keywords

Child abuse; Emotional abuse; Intervention; Psychological maltreatment