The Impact of Child Maltreatment

It's logical enough to say that abuse and neglect of a child has serious consequences. The world population seems aware that abuse and neglect impacts the child's adolescent and the child's physical development; but what about the behavioral impacts? Child abuse and neglect affects the entire development of the child, and as the National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families (N.A) puts it sets "the stage for all that follows." As such, not only does the victim suffer from the consequences of abuse and neglect, but consequences also trickle down into society in a number of ways. Parenting styles are often discussed as being integral to the future and personality of the child, so it is not hard to imagine the types of behavior that can result from distant and/or violent parenting. The affects of abuse are physical, mental, and behavioral, and each pose a threat to both the child, and to the community in which they reside. Are parents, and their communities, fully aware of the true and serious consequences of abusive and neglectful parenting?

Before delving into the subject of abuse and neglect, it's important to first understand what abuse and neglect is. Both terms are generally combined and referred to as maltreatment; which encompasses the variety of different types of abuse and neglect. Berk (2007) explains physical abuse as any "assault on children...that inflict(s) physical injury," sexual abuse as "fondling, intercourse, exhibitionism, commercial exploitation, ...and other forms of exploitation," neglect as "failure to meet a child's basic needs," and emotional abuse as "acts that could cause serious mental or behavioral disorders, including social isolation, repeated unreasonable demands, ridicule, humiliation, intimidation, or terrorizing" (281). Through these definitions we gain a better understanding of the seriousness of maltreatment, and the types of physical, mental, behavioral, and societal, consequences that result.

In regards to abuse and neglect and its consequences, it is important to note that these effects differ based on the type and degree of abuse. No child has the same experience, and no side effect is sure to occur. However, it is possible to report on the most common physical, mental, and behavioral consequences. It's also important to keep in mind that a child's disposition and familial situation play a role in just how much the abuse or neglect impacts them cognitively and behaviorally. Thus, not every child that is physically abused will turn out a delinquent; and not every child of neglect will be mentally unstable. However, the consequences of abuse discussed within this paper are those that are widely reported and treated, and as such should be paid special attention to.

The physical impact of abuse is probably one of most notorious. Children who are physically abused are often absent from school frequently due to injury, or exhibit bruises and/or lesions. One tell-tale sign of physical abuse is repeated injury, especially serious ones such as broken bones and internal bleeding. Repeated cuts and bruises may be explained away by the child or their parent as typical child carelessness, but repeated serious injuries can hardly be explained away as such. However, because of the former problem, it is also important to look for the mental and behavioral signs to be discussed in the following paragraphs.

In infants, shaking can cause bruising, bleeding, and swelling, which in turn can lead to respiratory distress, seizures, brain damage, and even death (Goldman et al, 2003). Furthermore, trauma in children can cause central nervous system damage, a reduction in the size and functioning of the cerebral cortex and corpus callosum, and a heightened production of stress hormones, which also make it harder for the psychological effects of maltreatment to subside (Berk, 2007, 283).

As the previous paragraph touched upon, the developing brain of a child can be greatly damaged due to maltreatment. During stress the brain triggers a fight or flight response, the same sort of trigger occurs during episodes of trauma which provoke behaviors, emotions, and thoughts that promote survival. However, according to doctors Perry and Marcellus (1997) maintaining this constant state of alertness, or experiencing it persistently causes the individual to be thrown into a state of hypervigillance, behavioral impulsivity, and anxiety.

Furthermore, recent research into the area of maltreatment and the brain has shown that abused and neglected children may be at a further disadvantage as far as brain growth and development because they are rarely exposed to the stimuli that is necessary to create and/or "strengthen cognitive pathways" and "consequently, the connections among neurons in these inactivated regions can literally wither away, hampering the individual's later functioning" (Goldman et al, 2003). Additionally, children from abusive or neglectful homes often have trouble in academic settings as they lack social skills, have problems keeping their attention on tasks and lectures, are noncompliant with authority figures, and lack the motivation to improve their academic and behavioral situation. Further behavioral troubles, like aggression, substance abuse, delinquency, and violence are among the more serious issues that arise over time. Perhaps these worsening symptoms are the result of changes in cognition. Low self-esteem, high anxiety, self-blame, depression, and self-harming behaviors are common emotions associated with abuse (Wolfe, 1999), and these only become worse as the fight or flight response continues to be triggered in the brain. According to Goldman et al (1997) "the brain may become 'wired' to experience the world as hostile and uncaring. This negative perspective may influence the child's later interactions, prompting the child to become anxious and overly aggressive or withdrawn. Furthermore, their ability to sympathize and regulate their emotions is severely impaired.

These sorts of behaviors illustrate one way in which child maltreatment affects society. It is important to note that behaviors can be a result of upbringing or of personality, and that abuse and neglect are part of both. A violent child may learn the behavior at home by witnessing spousal abuse, or by experiencing abuse themselves. Soon enough, aggression and violence are engrained in the child's brain as a way to solve problems (Berk, 2007, 283). Additionally, abuse and neglect cost the American public an estimated total of $94,076,882,529. This number was compiled by Prevent Child Abuse America (2001), and include the cost of hospitalization, chronic health problems, mental health care system, child welfare system, law enforcement, judicial system, special education, mental health and health care, juvenile delinquency, lost productivity (due to unemployment), and adult criminality.

Truly, child abuse and neglect cost America dearly. From harming the physical and mental wellbeing of our youth, to racking up thousands upon thousands of dollars to repair the damage done, child maltreatment is a very serious issue in need of serious results. Surely the long list of physical, mental, and behavioral consequences illustrate the need for tender and careful parenting, in which the child's needs are met, and the bond between child, family, and society is formed. Furthermore, those in positions of community service, such as teachers, social workers, medical and mental health care providers, and the like, need to be aware of the array of different side effects of abuse, and methods in which to counteract them early in order to avoid further harm befalling the child and society. Data by the U.S Department of Health and Human Services (2006) listed the rate of abuse at 12.1 per every 1000 children in the U.S, this number is simply too high, putting 905,000 children at risk for physical, mental, and behavioral difficulties throughout their lives. Something must be done, and parents must be made aware of the consequences of abusive and neglectful parenting.

References

Berk, L. (2007). Development Through the Lifespan (4^th ed.). Boston, Mass: Pearson Education, Inc.

Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2008). Brain/Cognitive Development. Retrieved October, 1, 2008, from http://www.childwelfare.gov/can/impact/development/brain.cfm

Goldman, Salus, Wolcott, Kennedy. (2003). A Coordinated Response to Child Abuse and Neglect: The Foundation for Practice. Retrieved October 1, 2008, from http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/usermanuals/foundation/foundationf.cfm

National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families. (N.A). Zero to Three. Retrieved October 1, 2008, from http://www.zerotothree.org/site/PageServer?pagename=key_childabuse

Perry, B., Marcellus, J. (1997). The Impact of Abuse and Neglect on the Developing Brain. Retrieved October 1, 2008, from http://www.childtrauma.org/ctamaterials/AbuseBrain.asp

Prevent Child Abuse America. (2001). Total Estimated Cost of Child Abuse and Neglect in the United States: Statistical Evidence. Retrieved October 1, 2008, from http://preventchildabuse.org/learn_more/research_docs/cost_analysis.pdf

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2006). Child Maltreatment 2006. Retrieved October 1, 2008, from http://www.preventchildabuse.org/about_us/media_releases/pcaa_pew_economic_impact_study_final.pdf

Wang, C., Holton, J. (2007). Total Estimated Cost of Child Abuse and Neglect in the United States. Retrieved October 1, 2008, from http://www.preventchildabuse.org/about_us/media_releases/pcaa_pew_economic_impact_study_final.pdf

Wolfe, D.A. (1999). Child Abuse (2^nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.