Does Verbal Abuse Leave Deeper Scars: A Study of Children and Parents^*

Abstract

This study investigating the effects of verbal abuse on children and their abused parents, tends to support the clinical impression that verbal abuse may have a greater impact for a longer period of time. Although there are very few pure forms of verbal abuse, there are some parents who use verbal abuse but would hit their children, neglect them, or involve them in sex. Verbal abuse may become an increasingly frequent form of controlling and disciplining children because of the increased awareness of physical abuse and because of the possible declining value of children. Verbal abuse may have a greater impact because the abused child has greater difficulty defending himself from the attack. Because children tend to identify with their parents, the verbal abuse by their parents becomes a way in which they then abuse themselves.

La violence psychologique envers l’enfant : quelques pistes d’action préventive à retenir

“…Chez les enfants victimes de violence verbale et émotive, la difficulté à former des relations interpersonnelles satisfaisantes, la culpabilité, la détresse et des comportements autodestructeurs sont au nombre des symptômes observés (Ney, 1987). Dans une synthèse de la documentation sur l'impact des mauvais traitements psychologiques, Hart, Germain et Brassard (1987) rapportent la présence de problèmes d'ordre physique (perte d'appétit, encoprésie, énurésie), affectif (dépendance, dépression, retrait), cognitif (incompétence, retard dans le dévelop-pement intellectuel) et comportemental (vol, agressivité, prostitution) ; dans certains cas, les mauvais traitements conduiraient au suicide.…”

Childhood verbal versus physical aggression and the long-term repercussions on adult psychopathology

“…In a longitudinal survey conducted on the combined effects of various types of aggression on children, researchers found that when physical neglect and physical aggression were coupled with verbal aggression, children's self-images were more negatively affected than those who suffered physical aggression and neglect alone (Ney, 1987). As indicated in the literature, anxiety and depression in adulthood have been suggested as potential repercussions of childhood physical and psychological aggression.…”

Abuse in Childhood and HPA Axis Functioning in Mentally Ill Patients

“…Verbal violence causes symptoms of fear of abandonment in children, mood disorders, difficulties in establishing and maintaining relationships, a feeling of guilt as well as auto-destructive behaviours. Children who are subject to physical violence are more aggressive, have a low self-esteem, impaired ability of achieving happiness in their lives, difficulties in expressing empathy, and -in case of a longlasting violence -a connection can be noted between physical violence and the suppression of intellectual development, depression and aggressive behaviours Ney, 1987;Ney, 1997;Rossman, 1985) 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 . The outcomes of a variety of nowadays' scientific research indicate that there is a sound impact of some stressful events from childhood (trauma) on mental health (Ossowska 2002, Twardowska & Rybakowski 1996 14 , 15 .…”

“…Ney et al (1987) 1 ranked the types of violence and negligence according to the extent of destruction of an individual. The most traumatic forms of violence are: -physical violence: hitting on the face, asphyxiation, striking with a belt, agitation, burns, bone fractures -verbal violence: intimidation, blaming, embarrassing, discrimination -sexual violence: gang rape, oral sex, forced masturbation, forced intercourse, forced participation in pornography The epidemiological data point out the existence of the problem of abuse and using violence by parents towards children.…”