Citation

Elarousy W, Al-Jadaani M. East Mediterr. Health J. 2013; 19(10): 869-875.

Affiliation

College of Nursing, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Science, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. wafaaelarousy@hotmail.com

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, World Health Organization)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

24313151

Abstract

Emotional abuse is the most hidden and underestimated form of child maltreatment. We report an exploratory study in Saudi Arabia of the rate and types of emotional abuse among children and its association with selected variables. A convenience sample of 60 children aged 12-18 years was recruited from 3 malls in Jeddah. A specially designed, self-administered questionnaire was completed in confidence by the children with the consent of parents. Overall 90% of participants reported at least 1 form of rejecting emotional abuse and 61.7% at least 1 form of ignoring or terrorizing types of abuse. Chronic illness among parents was significantly positively correlated with terrorizing emotional abuse. There was a statistically significant negative correlation between mothers' relationship with the child and ignoring and terrorizing types of emotional abuse. Further research is needed about the community prevalence, correlates and consequences of child emotional abuse in Saudi Arabia.

Language: en