Co-author: Saanika Zanwar
Following our previous article on child abuse which covered the types of child abuse, some impact of child abuse, the risk factors, and possible prevention and intervention, this article will delve deeper into various impact of child abuse and how it can potentially affect the individual in the long run.
Before diving into the long-term impacts of child abuse to adulthood, it is essential to understand the various factors that can affect the impact of child abuse in adulthood. These include:
Age and developmental stage of child abuse
Child’s individual resilience
Severity and duration of the abuse. Harsher and prolonged abuse results in more negative outcomes.
Relationship between the victimiser and the victim. An existing emotional relationship will result in more adverse effects.
The child’s perception. For example, if the child believes that they are to blame for the abuse, it could result in feelings of shame, self-loathe, and guilt. This may lead to lower self-esteem and self-worth.
Presence of intervention. The impact of child abuse can differ greatly depending on whether the abuse was detected and whether action was taken to ensure the safety of the child.
Presence of support system. This includes other family members, social services and mental health professionals.
Impacts of Child Abuse
Attachment style
The development of the child's attachment style starts right from infancy. This complex process is influenced by early childhood experiences and relationships. According to research, children who have experienced child abuse often develop an insecure attachment style with a particular tendency towards a disorganised attachment style. Disorganised attachment style is characterised by a desire to connect but deeply fear them. As such, it affects how they behave towards people. Commonly, children with disorganised attachment style tend to exhibit conflicting behaviour like may approach their caregivers for comfort and reassurance while simultaneously avoiding or resisting physical contact or emotional closeness. Moreover, one may alternate between being overly clingy and pushing people away which prevents them from establishing and maintaining stable relationships with others. Additionally, due to the inconsistencies and unpredictability that they have experienced, these individuals may have difficulties trusting others, especially in intimate or close relationships.
It was commonly observed that children with disorganised attachment styles may display emotional responses that seem inappropriate or exaggerated in certain situations. Furthermore, they may experience difficulties with emotion regulation. They may find themselves experiencing intense mood swings and face difficulties regulating themselves. More often than not, these behaviour can persist into adulthood. To find out more, read the articles on attachment styles that were previously covered (links below).
Lower self-esteem and self-worth
Self-esteem is defined as one’s perception of their capability while self-worth is defined by one’s evaluation of their intrinsic value and significance. Through the experience of child abuse, the individual may internalise negative perceptions and beliefs that can negatively impact their self-worth and self-esteem. These beliefs can negatively influence the individual’s self-perception, self-esteem, and how they behave towards themselves. Some examples include the child believing that they are not worth protecting, unimportant, or never good enough. They may find themselves self-sabotaging their success or happiness, people-pleasing, or setting unrealistic expectations for themselves.
Emotional regulation
Children and adults with a history of child abuse may also have difficulties with emotional regulation. The lack of care and positive role models could deter the individual from developing adaptive ways to regulate their emotions. Moreover, through social learning, children who experienced child abuse may replicate communication patterns that are unhelpful in forming and maintaining interpersonal relationship. For examples, these individuals may exhibit aggressive behaviour toward people or things to communicate their dissatisfaction or frustration.
Cognition and physical health
According to various research, individuals who experienced prolonged child abuse showed delayed growth in height and head circumference, as well as poor motor control and muscle tone. In some instances, these children may experience traumatic brain injuries or internal injury to parts of the brain which can cause more structural changes to the brain. These changes can impact the brain’s executive function including planning and organising, holding information in memory, managing emotions, and ability to focus. This can lead to academic problems and underachievement. Moreover, early life stresses may also impact one’s immune system, increasing the risk of diabetes, gynaecological issues, headaches and arthritis. Research have also found a heightened risk for liver, lung, and heart diseases in adults who has experienced child abuse.
Other negative consequences that can be carried forward into adulthood includes:
Intergenerational trauma. Although not all victims would perpetrate the abuse, research has found associations between one’s childhood experiences and their subsequent behaviour. For example, victims of abuse in childhood may replicate their experiences by using similar abusive behaviour while parenting.
Re-victimisation. Individuals who have been a victim to child abuse are more at risk of becoming victims to violence in their adulthood possibly due to a lower self-esteem and believing that violence is normal in communication.
Increased risk of mental health disorders. Certain disorders that correlate with a history of childhood abuse include personality disorders, PTSD, depression, anxiety, ADHD, substance abuse. These mental health issues increase the risk of suicidal behaviours, eating disorders and/or obesity and alcohol and substance abuse.
All in all, the impact of child abuse can lead to a range of long-lasting mental, emotional and physical health issues. These impact on one’s sense of security, self-contentment and ability to form relationships can be debilitating and limiting to the individual. Recognizing the urgency of these issues, it is imperative for individuals who have endured child abuse to seek support and professional assistance to break these barriers. The road to healing starts from acknowledging the impact of child abuse on one’s beliefs and functioning. By doing so, survivors can break the cycle of intergenerational abuse, empower themselves to overcome challenges, and enhance their overall well-being.
Interesting read
https://thepsychpractice.com/plog/disorganisedattachmentstyle
https://thepsychpractice.com/plog/dismissiveavoidantattachmentstyle
https://bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12916-020-01788-3