Crosson Chapter 16

Understanding Child Abuse and Neglect
Tenth Edition
Chapter 16
Adults Abused as Children
PowerPoint Lecture
Slides prepared by
Piljoo Kang, Ph.D.
Toccoa Falls College
Copyright © 2021, 2014, 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Learning Objectives (1 of 2)
After studying this chapter, you should be able to
16.1 cite the typical myths that society harbors about
adults abused or neglected as children
16.2 explain why victims might disclose their abuse or
details of it in adulthood.
16.3 describe the residual effects of growing up in a
neglectful family.

Learning Objectives (2 of 2)
16.4 explain what adults who were physically abused as
children or who witnessed violence at home might carry into
adulthood.
16.5 discuss the residual effects for adults who were
sexually abused as children.
16.6 discuss some possible therapeutic approaches to
treating adults abused or neglected as children.

Society’s Misconceptions
• Myth #1 The individual who was abused or neglected will
abuse or neglect his or her own children.
• Myth #2 Abused and neglected children become deviant
adults, involved in crime, drugs, or prostitution.
• Myth #3 The effects of abuse or neglect are irreparable
and render the future adult incapable of leading a fulfilling
and happy life.

Reasons for Adults’ Disclosure
• Adult disclosure may be triggered by
– wanting to be honest in relationships
– efforts to overcome sexual dysfunction, low self-
esteem, depression, or trauma symptoms
• Developmental issues may trigger the need to face one’s
past
– death of loved one or the perpetrator
– birth of a child
– children leaving home
– other losses and stressors

Effects from Neglect & Physical Abuse
• Difficulty trusting self: low-esteem, self-blame
• Anger turned
– inward into depression and self-abuse
– outward into aggression and delinquency
• Social relationships:
– difficulty trusting, negotiating, compromising and
problem solving; impaired parenting
– impaired communication skills
• Physical problems: result from early malnutrition and
poor emotional health; poor brain development

Long-Term Effects of Domestic
Violence
• Adults who were exposed to domestic violence as
children
– may have difficulty with intimate relationships
– may choose inappropriate partners
– may abuse substances
– may develop physical and mental health problems
– may have lifelong learning difficulties
– may develop aggressive behaviors
– may have suicidal thoughts

Effects from a Sexually Abusing Family
• Betrayal: mistrusts others, anger, grief, depression; vulnerable
to subsequent abuse
• Traumatic sexualization: confuses affection and love;
promiscuity or sexual dysfunction; self-destructive behaviors;
sexual identity confusion
• Stigmatization: guilt, shame, low self-esteem, feeling like
damaged goods, distorted body image
• Powerlessness: feels out of control and incompetent;
nightmares; flashbacks; phobias; anxiety
• Relational imbalances
• Repeat victimization

Resiliency
• Resiliency: the ability to survive or bounce back from crisis
and adapt effectively in the face of threats
• Characteristics in the resilient survivors of child sexual abuse:
– ability to find supportive relationships outside their
families of origin
– developed a sense of positive self-regard
– used spiritual grounding, often in religion
– recognized their own personal power; having internal
locus of control; attribute responsibility to the abusers.
– philosophy of life open to learning and growth; use their
abuse as a means of achieving growth

Treatment of Adults Who Were Abused
as Children
• Individual therapies: include Psychotherapy, Gestalt
therapy, Eye movement desensitization and reprocess,
Trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy, Guided
imagery, Expressive therapies.
• Group Therapies: use techniques such as journal writing,
unsent letters, and role playing to enable past victims to
understand and deal with their trauma.
• Self-help groups: effective with individuals who feel
isolated by their problems.

Therapists’ Responses to Working with
Survivors
• Working with survivors of childhood trauma can have its
effect on therapists.
• Countertransference: the emotional reaction of the
therapist toward a client
• It is important that those working with this population
– to seek supervision
– monitor own feelings
– have adequate support systems

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Crosson Chapter 16

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