For example, making fun of a child, calling a child names, and always finding fault are forms of emotional abuse." Researchers agree that the emotional or psychological abuse of children can have far-reaching influence and long-term impact on most aspects of a child's development, but that the impacts on the child's social and emotional development are the most readily observable (Chang, et al
Some differences in patterns of domestic abuse are evident when comparing military vs. nonmilitary families (Martin, et al
How Is Emotional Abuse Recognized? Emotional or psychological abuse is defined by the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect as: "Acts or omissions by the parents or other caregivers that have caused, or could cause, serious behavioral, cognitive, emotional, or mental disorders. In some cases of emotional abuse, the acts of parents or other caregivers alone, without any harm evident in the child's behavior or condition, are sufficient to warrant child protective services (CPS) intervention…Less severe acts, such as habitual scapegoating, belittling, or rejecting treatment, are often difficult to prove and, therefore, CPS may not be able to intervene without evidence of harm to the child" (Newton, 2001, 1)
Important connections were made between aggression and physical and psychological violence showing increased aggression in children experiencing or witnessing violence. (American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children, 1986, p
53) Research on aggressive behavior indicates a child's need to engage in immediate aggressive behaviors when witnessing threats, violence, and other type of conflict within the household. (Crosson-Tower, 2002, p
84) Research also indicates witnesses display overt aggression more so than non-witnesses to domestic violence, sparking possible bullying behavior in children. (Ellens & University of California, 2008) In general, the literature demonstrates the link between aggression and exposure to domestic violence
(2008) found that that boys exposed to domestic violence were at a higher risk for externalizing behavior problems than were their female counterparts. "Several studies suggest that exposure to domestic violence may affect boys and girls differently" (Evans, Davies, & DiLillo, 2008, p
But as time progressed new laws were made passed that gave officials and the authorities the liberty they needed to protect children of domestic violence. (Gosselin, 2009, p
Symptoms of eating disorders and insomnia have also been found in child abuse victims and witnesses with eating disorders being most prevalent with females. Additionally, "specific measures of depression and anxiety administered to children of battered women found that 16% met the clinical criteria for depression and 23% were in the clinical range on measures of anxiety" (Jouriles, Spiller, Stevens, McDonald, & Swank, 2000, p
Social problems also grew to social competence problems displayed through deficits in school performance, interests and activities, school behavior, and most importantly, relationships with others. (McCoy & Keen, 2009, p
These results might suggest that age and gender plays a role in how a child becomes affected by domestic violence. Research also indicates that child exposed to domestic violence score lower on scales of social aptitude than control groups (Mullender, 2002, p
Nearly half of the children who witness their parents going through some form of physical aggression experience behavioral problems as a result. (Pandey, 2007, p
No Effects / Positive Effects Contrary to the results explained in section II, children aged six or under were found to not demonstrate negative effects when exposed to domestic violence. (Sturt, 2006, p
233-249) Further research reinforces the statement that children experiencing or witnessing domestic violence are more likely to fall into depression. Correlational research backs additional findings that child depression and anxiety are connected to witnessing abuse of the mother (Ward, Flisher, Zissis, Muller, & Lombard, 2001, p
, and this can lead to abusive and violent behavior as the child grows into adulthood. One writer notes, "By modeling the behaviors of TV, movie or video game characters, acts of aggression become increasingly more frequent and violent" (Smith, 1999)
The abused child may be reluctant to participate in physical activities. They may also experience difficulty in walking or sitting (Besharov, 1990)
When a child has to live with his mother's abuse this is a form of emotional abuse, together with negative consequences for the emotional and mental health of the child. Also, a direct effect is seen in their future relationships (Brandon, 1996)
During the developing stages the brain is most susceptible to the impact of traumatic experiences (Perry, 1997). Latest research implies that exposure to extreme trauma can change the organization of the brain, which can result in problems in dealing with stresses later in life (Brown & Bzostek, 2003)
Also, the research implies that the domestic violence has a direct impact on the woman's ability to develop authority as well as control over her children. In a number of cases adolescents demonstrate physical aggression towards their parents (Jackson, 2003)
Research suggests that when a child is three years old, those children who have been exposed to domestic violence earlier might respond to adult anger with increase in aggressions towards their peers and with greater distress (Cuming, 1994). The children who have to observe violence experience the same level of negative psychosocial outcomes as children who actually are victims of physical abuse (Kitzmann, 2003)