Psychological Maltreatment and Child Welfare

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is a primary factor for a child to be considered psychologically healthy?

Strict disciplinary actions from parents

Recognition and respect of their needs (correct)

High levels of independence

Consistent educational achievements

Which of the following is NOT a category of parental behavior that constitutes psychological maltreatment?

Isolating

Terrorizing

Spurning

Exemplifying (correct)

Which statement describes emotional unavailability and neglect?

Engaging in regular family activities

Being insensitive and unresponsive to a child's needs (correct)

Providing consistent feedback and support

Setting age-appropriate expectations for behavior

What behavior characterizes the spurning category of psychological maltreatment?

Engaging in verbal and nonverbal hostile rejection Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of developmental inappropriate interaction?

Having inappropriate expectations for a child's behavior Signup and view all the answers

Which behavior is indicative of terrorizing in the context of psychological maltreatment?

Threatening harm to the child or their loved ones Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'denying emotional responsiveness' in emotional abuse?

Failing to express positive feelings towards a child Signup and view all the answers

What does Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome involve?

Caretakers fabricating a child's illness Signup and view all the answers

What action exemplifies exploiting or corrupting in terms of psychological maltreatment?

Promoting inappropriate behavior in a child Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an indicator of emotional abuse?

Extremely high academic performance Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a behavioral indicator of emotional abuse?

Consistent praise and validation Signup and view all the answers

What is the main issue associated with child labor?

Deprivation of childhood and dignity Signup and view all the answers

Which type of neglect is highlighted in the context of psychological maltreatment?

Educational neglect Signup and view all the answers

How can parents fail to promote a child's social adaptation?

Deliberately misocializing the child Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the mental health aspect of psychological maltreatment?

Ignoring a child's mental health needs Signup and view all the answers

What type of abuse is characterized by a failure to acknowledge a child’s individuality?

Emotional abuse Signup and view all the answers

What type of injuries are more likely to be accidental?

Bruises on peripheral parts of the body Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a sign that an injury may be due to abuse?

An injury in a bony area Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following types of physical abuse involves the use of an object to inflict harm?

Burning Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of abusive head injury commonly caused by violent shaking?

Severe internal bleeding Signup and view all the answers

What factor generally suggests that an injury is likely not accidental?

Different explanations for the injury are provided Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the condition that results in severe internal bleeding from violent shaking of a child?

Shaken baby syndrome Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following options describes an indicator of physical abuse regarding bruises?

Bruises in different stages of healing Signup and view all the answers

What type of physical abuse involves inflicting harm through contact with hot surfaces or liquids?

Burning Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes abuse from neglect in the context of child welfare?

Abuse is an act of commission, whereas neglect is an act of omission. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT classified as a type of abuse?

Neglect Signup and view all the answers

In the example of Angela and her baby Maria, what type of abuse occurred?

Physical Abuse Signup and view all the answers

What defines physical abuse in children?

Any non-accidental physical injury caused by an adult. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of economical abuse?

Withholding allowances or money necessary for the child's basic needs. Signup and view all the answers

Which scenario best illustrates neglect?

A parent fails to provide proper medical care for a sick child. Signup and view all the answers

The act of psychological maltreatment falls under which category?

Emotional Abuse Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following actions is considered an act of commission?

Hitting a child during an argument. Signup and view all the answers

What constitutes economic abuse?

Interfering with a child's schooling due to financial instability. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a cause of economic abuse?

Excessive government funding for education Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following behaviors could be categorized as media abuse?

Using a child as a source of news information without consent. Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of sexual abuse as described?

Any sexual activity with a child where consent is not or cannot be given. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of media abuse?

Harming the child's principles of privacy. Signup and view all the answers

In what situation might sexual abuse be committed by a person under the age of 18?

When they hold a position of power over the victim. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best reflects the impact of economic abuse on children?

Depriving children of educational opportunities. Signup and view all the answers

Which scenario illustrates a clear instance of sexual abuse?

An adult asking a child to perform sexual acts for video recording. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the adult's actions in the definition of Child Sexual Abuse (CSA)?

The adult's exploitation of authority and power over the child Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following activities are included as non-contact sexual abuse?

Sending sexually explicit messages Signup and view all the answers

How is the term 'exploitation' significant in defining CSA?

It indicates the manipulation of the child's inability to consent Signup and view all the answers

What is commonly assumed about children's ability to consent in the context of CSA?

Children lack the capacity to give fully informed consent due to their developmental status Signup and view all the answers

What age discrepancy is often referenced in CSA definitions regarding perpetrators?

A gap of at least five years between perpetrator and victim Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of non-contact sexual abuse?

Exposure of genitalia Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT considered when defining CSA?

The geographic location of the abuse Signup and view all the answers

What kind of interactions can constitute contact sexual abuse?

Physical touching of intimate body parts Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Child Abuse Overview

Child abuse involves actions that negatively impact a child's health, physical, and psychological development. These actions can be taken by adults, the society, or the state. (WHO)
Abuse is defined as doing what should not be done.
Neglect is defined as not doing what should be done.
Abuse implies action, while neglect implies inaction.
Child abuse is categorized as acts of commission (things a parent or caregiver does to the child) and acts of omission (things a parent or caregiver fails to do).

Types of Abuse

Physical Abuse: Any non-accidental physical injury to a child by a caregiver. This includes striking, kicking, burning, biting, or any action leading to physical impairment.
Emotional Abuse/Psychological Maltreatment: Any behavior that harms a child's emotional integrity and personality development. This includes ignoring, not showing love/attention, constantly criticizing, or humiliating.
Economic Abuse: Work that deprives children of their childhood, potential, dignity, and harms their physical, mental, and social development. This includes work that is mentally, physically, socially, or morally dangerous or harmful to the child or interferes with their schooling (e.g., leaving school prematurely, or combining school with excessive work).
Sexual Abuse: Any sexual activity with a child where consent is not or cannot be given or when child is being used for sexual stimulation. Acts may be contact (e.g., touching intimate parts, oral sex, penetration) or non-contact (e.g., voyeurism, sexy talk, exposure).

Physical Abuse: Specific Examples

Jimmy (3-year-old) was playing with a puppy, pulled roughly on the dog's tail, his father punished him by pulling on his ear.
Maria (5-month-old) had colic, her mother shook her repeatedly until the baby lost consciousness, causing injury.
Ryan and Matthew were fighting, their mother pulled down their pants and spanked them.

Physical Abuse: Consequences

Bruises: Injury in which capillaries are damaged, allowing blood to seep into surrounding tissue.
Fractures: Partial or complete breaking of bone or cartilage.
Head Injuries: Can result from shaken baby syndrome (SBS) or shaken impact syndrome (SIS). This involves an adult shaking the child, causing the brain to collide with the skull.
Burns: Injuries caused by fire, heat, or acid, ranging in severity from first-degree (redness) to third-degree (deep skin destruction).

Physical Abuse: Indicators

Unexplained injuries, wounds, bruises.
Unbelievable or inconsistent explanations of injuries.
Bruises in various stages of healing.
Bruises located on body areas where bone is close to surface, or on protected body areas (e.g., face, ears, neck, buttocks, thighs, and back of legs/genitalia).
Bruises resembling objects (e.g., hand, fist, belt buckle).
Injuries inconsistent with a child's age/developmental level.
Fear of going home, extreme apprehensiveness or vigilance.
Delay in physical, emotional, and cognitive development.
Extreme behavior (passivity or aggression).
Inability to behave age-appropriately.
Low levels of communication and interaction with child, or a child's difficulty regulating emotions.
Problems in peer relationships.
Low school success.
Difficulty walking or sitting, pain or swelling/bleeding in genital/lip/mouth/anal area, pain in urination.
Sexually transmitted disease diagnosis, physical complaints, excessive need for cleaning or neglect of cleaning.

Psychological, Interpersonal, and Biological Characteristics of Adults Who Physically Abuse Children

Emotional and behavioral difficulties: Self-expressed anger, depression, low frustration tolerance, low self-esteem, rigidity, anger control problems, deficits in empathy, anxiety, perceived life stress, substance abuse/dependence, deficits in problem-solving skills, intellectual impairment.
Family and interpersonal difficulties: Spousal disagreement, tension, abuse, parental history of abuse, maternal history of foster care placement, deficits in positive interactions with family members, verbal and physical conflict, domestic violence, deficits in family cohesion, isolation from friends and community.
Parenting difficulties: Unrealistic expectations of children, disregard for children's needs/abilities, deficits in child management skills, view of parenting role as stressful. Negative bias/perceptions regarding children, poor problem-solving skills relating to child rearing, intrusive/inconsistent parenting, low levels of communication, stimulation, and interaction with children, high rates of verbal and physical aggression toward children.
Biological factors: Reports of physical health problems and disabilities, physiological over-reactivity, neuropsychological deficits.

Possible Effects of Physical Child Abuse

Children: Medical/neurobiological complications, cognitive difficulties, behavioral problems, socioemotional deficits.
Adolescents and Adults: Criminal/violent behavior, substance abuse, socioemotional problems, psychiatric disorders, physical problems

Emotional Abuse/Psychological Maltreatment: Specific Examples

Mother locks 3-year-old son in a dark attic.
Mother calls daughter "stupidest, laziest kid on earth".
Father threatens to kill puppy for misbehavior.
Father repeatedly tells child "I don't love you", mother refusing to touch/look at child.

Emotional Abuse/Psychological Maltreatment: Specific Indicators

Pretending to be emotionally absent, ignoring child's needs.
Not showing love, attention, and closeness.
Constantly criticizing and blaming without support/guidance.
Making fun of, name-calling, humiliating child.
Denying emotional responsiveness.
Isolating child from others.
Mental health/medical/educational neglect.

Economic Abuse: Causes

Social, economic, and cultural problems, unequal income distribution, poverty, migrations, illegal labor, lack of educational resources.

Media Abuse: General Description

Publications that negatively impact child health, mental/physical/moral development.
Harm child privacy/best interest by prioritizing profit.

Sexual Abuse: Specific Examples

15-year-old Jamie frequently babysits neighbor, Naomi; inappropriately touches Naomi, while watching videos.
16-year-old Sally has sexual encounters with boyfriends and stepfather when alone.

Sexual Abuse: Specific Indicators

Difficulty walking/sitting, pain/swelling/bleeding in genital/lip/mouth/anal area, pain in urination, sexually transmitted disease diagnosis, physical complaints, excessive need for cleaning, or neglect of cleaning.
Developing baby-immature behaviors, imitating adult sexual behaviors, playing sexually explicit games with oneself/others.
Demonstrating sexual knowledge beyond developmental level.
School/discipline problems, lack of attention, tantrums.
Depression, anxiety, dissociative disorders (forgetfulness, daydreaming, trance-like states), sleep/eating disorders, and self-harm/substance abuse/suicide attempts.

Sexual Abuse: General Descriptions

Explicit sexual activities without consent.
Used for sexual stimulation of another person.
Perpetrator is in position of power or control over victim, age discrepancy.
Includes contact (touching) and non-contact (voyeurism, sexy talk, exposure).
Exploitation including pornography and child prostitution.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

This quiz explores key concepts surrounding psychological maltreatment and emotional abuse in children. Test your understanding of parental behaviors, indicators of emotional unavailability, and the implications of neglect on child development. Ideal for students studying child psychology or social work.