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Child neglect and emotional abuse

Definition

Neglect and emotional abuse can cause a child a lot of harm. It is often hard to see or prove this kind of abuse, so other people are less likely to help the child. When a child is being physically or sexually abused, emotional abuse is also often happening to the child.

Symptoms

EMOTIONAL ABUSE

These are examples of emotional abuse:

• Not providing the child with a safe environment. The child witnesses violence or severe abuse between parents or adults.

• Threatening the child with violence or abandonment.

• Constantly criticizing or blaming the child for problems.

• The child's parent or caregiver does not show concern for the child, and refuses help from others for the child.

These are signs that a child may be emotionally abused. They may have any of the following:

• Problems in school

• Eating disorders, leading to weight loss or poor weight gain

• Emotional issues such as low self-esteem, depression, and anxiety

• Extreme behavior such as acting out, trying hard to please, aggressiveness

• Trouble sleeping

• Vague physical complaints

CHILD NEGLECT

These are examples of child neglect:

• Rejecting the child and not giving the child any love.

• Not feeding the child.

• Not dressing the child in proper clothing.

• Not giving needed medical or dental care.

• Leaving a child alone for a long time. This is called abandonment.

These are signs that a child may be neglected. The child may:

• Not go to school regularly

• Smell bad or be be dirty

• Tell you that there is no one at home to take care of them

• Be depressed, show bizarre behavior, or use alcohol or drugs

Treatment

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP

If you think a child is in immediate danger because of abuse or neglect, call 911 or the local emergency number.

Call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453). Crisis counselors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Interpreters are available to help in more than 170 languages. The counselor on the phone can help you determine what steps to take next. All calls are anonymous and confidential.

Counseling and support groups are available for children and for abusive parents who want to get help.

Outlook (Prognosis)

The long-term outcome depends on:

• How severe the abuse was

• How long the child was abused

• The success of therapy and parenting classes

References

Dubowitz H, Lane WG. Abused and neglected children. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 16.

American Academy of Pediatrics: healthy children.org website. Child abuse and neglect : what parents should know. www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/Pages/What-to-Know-about-Child-Abuse.aspx. Updated March 16, 2022. Accessed December 8, 2022.

US Department of Health & Human Services, Children's Bureau website. Child abuse & neglect. www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/focus-areas/child-abuse-neglect. Updated July 1, 2021. Accessed December 8, 2022.

Review Date: 10/22/2022

Reviewed By: Charles I. Schwartz MD, FAAP, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, General Pediatrician at PennCare for Kids, Phoenixville, PA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.