What is Child Abuse Psychology?

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From Physical to Psychological Abuse

There is nothing quite sad or disturbing than viewing a child who has been physically abused. Hearts are moved to pity when they see the bruises, broken bones, burn marks or other evidence inflicted by the older, stronger perpetrator against the victim. Early childhood abuse experiences can have a lasting impact, either as an adult perpetrator or as an adult victim, perpetually returning to abusive situations and choosing abusive partners.

Just as undermining to childhood development however, is psychological abuse. Experts in child abuse psychology have determined that non-physical symptoms such as emotional abuse and neglect can be just as serious of a detriment to the child’s cognitive skills and social behaviors.

The Damaging Evidence

Every day an estimated 2,463 children are determined to be victims of abuse or neglect. These are the extreme cases that reach the attention of child’s social services. As psychological abuse cannot been seen, only observed in behaviors, these numbers represent only a fraction of the children suffering from emotional abuse or neglect.

Child abuse psychology is the study and treatment of children who have been abused either physically or emotionally. Abused children may show delayed cognitive skills in communications and manual dexterity. They may wet the bed for a longer length of time than their better adjusted companions. As they enter the school system, they show fewer socialization skills than other children. They may either be more passive and retreating, or quick-tempered and bullying.

The Blind Side to Child Abuse Psychology

Drawing the line on abuse has been difficult as we tend to perceive as normal whatever cultural, social and familial environmental factors dictate. Psychological child abuse is defined as a pattern of acts given by the parents or care givers that undermine a child’s social, emotional and mental development. In many instances, it is not intentional abuse, but the unconscious abuses of our own upbringing. Child abuse psychology teaches non-abusive behaviors on the familial and community level.

Abusive parents who do not realize the harm they are doing to their children can include those who ridicule, shame or refuse to communicate with their children causing feelings of rejection, or those who ignore the child’s needs to interact with others. More deliberate forms of psychological abuse are found in bullying or threatening the child, or placing the child or family member in harm’s way. In some cases, children are exploited, encouraged to engage in criminal activities, prostituted or introduced to illegal drugs and sales at an early age. Whether unconscious or deliberate, the effects on the child’s development can have long-term consequences.

Our Crucial Need

Currently, the majority of those who practice in the field of child abuse psychology are counselors working for the department of social services, women’s shelters or volunteer organizations. Counseling requirements are generally a Bachelor’s degree in psychology, although some agencies will give training toward those who show interest. Preferences for shelter positions are toward those who have gone through or were exposed to a child abuse situation.

The requirements for child abuse psychologists are a PhD in psychology with field work in abusive situations. Generally, child abuse psychologists go into private practice, which can hinder the quick availability of new treatments and concepts. This has begun to change however.

Abused children often grow up to become abused or abusive adults. Adults who have been abused as children may have a disinterest in academic studies or demonstrate poor social skills. If they have been sexually abused, they may exhibit inappropriate sexual behavior, engage in unsafe sex or demonstrate an interest in child pornography. Adults who have been emotionally abused as children may be cruel in their speech, detached from other employees or employers and have difficulty in building relationships.

Child abuse psychologists recognize the crucial need to educate a broad based public on the warning signs and social impact of child abuse. They realize for many, it will be a process of restructuring impressions received from their own childhood upbringing and learning the tools for constructive child care. They have begun to transfer their clinical work to the mainstream by sharing with child abuse agencies the newest findings on effective interventions and treatment. They are encouraging more innovative approaches to the re-education of family behavior as new understandings of individual and community characteristics evolve into more comprehensive practices. Child abuse affects society as a whole, and only educating the whole can the cycle of abuse be stopped.