Child Abuse and Mental Health

Written by Debbie Mahoney

Read about the signs and symptoms of physical, sexual and emotional child abuse and child neglect and the effects of child abuse on children of various ages.

Physical Abuse
Physical Neglect
Sexual Abuse
Emotional Abuse
Possible Effects of Child Abuse

Physical Abuse Definition

Non-accidental injury to a child that may include severe beatings, burns, strangulation, or human bites.

Symptoms, or indications of abuse, vary greatly from child-to-child (or on an individual basis --or in each individual case). Possibly only one, or a few, or none of these symptoms (or indicators) will be readily apparent in a child who IS being abused.

Absence of any or all of these indicators does NOT mean that a child is NOT being abused. If you suspect there is a problem, do NOT try to diagnose or determine the extent of the problem on your own; please contact a professional immediately.

Signs of Child Physical Abuse

• unexplained bruises (in various stages of healing)
• welts, human bite marks, bald spots
• unexplained burns, especially cigarette burns or immersion burns
• unexplained fractures, lacerations or abrasions
• swollen areas
• evidence of delayed or inappropriate treatment for injuries

Behavioral Indicators of Child Physical Abuse

• self-destructive
• withdrawn and/or aggressive - behavioral extremes
• arrives at school early or stays late as if afraid to be at home
• chronic runaway (adolescent)
• complains of soreness or moves uncomfortably
• wears clothing inappropriate to weather, to cover body
• bizarre explanation of injuries

Physical Neglect Definition

Failure to provide a child with basic necessities

Symptoms, or indications of abuse, vary greatly from child-to-child (or on an individual basis -- or in each individual case). Possibly only one, or a few, or none of these symptoms (or indicators) will be readily apparent in a child who IS being abused.

Absence of any or all of these indicators does NOT mean that a child is NOT being abused. If you suspect there is a problem, do NOT try to diagnose or determine the extent of the problem on your own; please contact a professional immediately.

Signs of Physical Neglect of a Child

• abandonment
• unattended medical needs
• consistent lack of supervision
• consistent hunger, inappropriate dress, poor hygiene
• lice, distended stomach, emaciated
• Inadequate nutrition

Behavioral Indicators of Child Neglect

• regularly displays fatigue or listlessness, falls asleep in class
• steals food, begs from classmates
• reports that no caretaker is at home
• frequently absent or tardy
• self destructive