A REVIEW OF LITERATURE

OF CHILD ABUSE
HAMPTON UNIVERSITY
Kaitlyn OLeary

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Abstract

Child abuse and neglect is a major issue affecting a large amount of children in the US.
There are things people dont understand about this topic such as the actual definition, the issues
it causes and the end result of it.

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Literature Review of Child Abuse

A sensitive topic for most people is child abuse. Although it is sensitive does not mean it does
not need to be talked about, it is a pressing issue in todays society. This topic is a pressing matter
in todays society because it affects so many people. People assume that children who a have
been abuse will later on have issues but do not know the specific of these future issues. To find
the specifics of these issues these three questions need to be answered:
1. What is child abuse?
2. What is the psychological damage of being abuse?
3. Were abusive parents abused as children?
The following literary review will: shed light on the issues abuse can cause while also attempting
to give an explanation of the pattern of abuse.
What is child abuse?
A touchy subject for most but just because it touchy does not mean it does not need to be
talked about. Starting of with the proper definition of child abuse according to U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services is [a]ny recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or
caretaker which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or
Category

Prevalence (%)

exploitation; or an act or failure to act

Physical Abuse

28.3

which presents an imminent risk of

Sexual Abuse

20.7

serious harm. Abuse can come in many

Emotional Abuse

10.6

Physical Neglect

9.9

different forms such as physical, sexual,

and emotional. In this figure from
Child Help, the non profit charity for the

Emotional Neglect

14.8

abused, the prevalence of each form of

abuse is shown.

Figure 1 retrieved from https://www.childhelp.org/child-abuse-statistics/

The figure also shows physical and emotional neglect which is still forms of abuse

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according to the official definition of abuse previously mentioned. Tragically in the US

abuse and neglect affects around 686,000 victims making the US have one of the worst
records among industrialized nations (Child Abuse Statistics).
What is the psychological damage of child abuse?
It is easy to recognize the physical affects of child abuse because they are blatantly
apparent however the psychological affects are not as noticeable. When something as traumatic
as child abuse happens to someone its causes a psychological effect. A childs mental state is so
fragile at a young age that [m]eeting a childs needs during these early stages creates emotional
stability and security that is needed for healthy brain development (Effects). Child abuse and
neglect is very damaging on a child and has many long term affects. Due to all the stress abuse
causes on the child, their brain cannot properly develop which [makes the brain] more reactive
and less adaptive (Effects). According to ASCA website the impact of child abuse can lead to
depression, anxiety disorders, aggressive behavior and so on. All of these issues affect the
victims in their day-to-day lives and is also carried on into adulthood (Potential Impacts). In my
interview with Lana Jones RN, a psychiatric nurse, she said that [She has] come across many
cases where [her] patient had been abused as a child and led to mental issues later on in life.
Were abusive parents abused as children?
There is a belief that abuse is taught and learned. With this belief people assume if a child
has been abused as a parent it is because that parent was once abused as a child. This theory also
referred to as the cycle of violence which refers to growing up and thinking that behavior is
acceptable you will continue it. However, has been studied that, parents who were physically
abused as kids arent more [inclined to be abusive with their own children], according to the first
large-scale, long-term study of child abuse published in Science yesterday (Duhaime-Ross).
This studied would make the cycle of violence theory untrue. However, most people do not know
about this second study making the cycle of violence theory more prevalent. There if also data

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that says child maltreatment [can] negatively impact the development of emotion regulation,
which often persists into adolescence or adulthood (Child Welfare). An adulthood who cannot
properly regulate emotions may seem unfit to properly raising a child; if they do end up having a
child there is a possibility they become abusive.
Conclusion
Child abuse and neglect is a relevant issue in our society. Although only the physical side
is acknowledged the most there are other important factors to the issue. Having the knowledge of
what child abuse is, its affects, short and long term will help decrease the issue. The goal is to
irradiate the problem and make a safe environment for children.