This document defines emotional abuse and neglect, provides statistics on their prevalence, and discusses their symptoms and long-term effects. Emotional abuse involves belittling or berating a child in a way that damages their self-esteem, while emotional neglect refers to failing to meet a child's emotional needs. Studies found that emotional abuse affects brain development and is linked to later psychiatric issues. The document recommends educating oneself on abuse, communicating concerns to parents and teachers, and incorporating self-esteem building strategies in working with children.

1. The invisible and over looked form of mistreatment
Emotional Abuse
and Neglect
By: Grace Hege

2. Emotional Abuse means injuring a child's self-esteem
or emotional well-being. It includes verbal and emotional
assault — such as continually belittling or berating a child
— as well as isolating.
Emotional Neglect is a parent’s failure to respond
enough to a child’s emotional needs.
Definitions:

3. Statistics:
• In a 1997 U.S. study, emotional maltreatment was reported in 15% of cases across 43
states (National Center of Child Abuse and Neglect, 19976).
• Estimates of the prevalence of emotional maltreatment vary from between 1 to 26% of
children (Fortin & Chamberland, 19955).
• The areas of the brain responsible for the management of emotions were 20% to 30%
smaller in emotionally abused children than in others of the same age.
• Emotional child abuse accounts for approximately 7% of all reported cases of child
maltreatment across the United States.
• Emotional neglect is most closely correlated with later development of psychiatric illness
(Ney et al., 1994, p.7132).
• A US study found that rejection can dramatically reduce a student's IQ and their ability to
reason while increasing aggression (Baumeister, 20021).
Source: http://www.child-abuse-effects.com/emotional-child-abuse.html

4. Symptoms and Behaviors:
• Delayed or inappropriate emotional development
• Lack of self-confidence or self-esteem
• Social withdrawal or a loss of interest or enthusiasm
• Desperately seeking affection
• A decrease in school performance or loss of interest in
school
• Loss of previously acquired developmental skills

5. Resources and Supports:
Running on Empty: Overcome Your Childhood Emotional Neglect. By Jonice Webb
It addresses types of parents who inadvertently emotionally neglect their children, issues that
emotionally neglected children struggle with as adults, and strategies for how to overcome
Emotional Neglect
Help is also available on the web at:
http://preventchildabuse.org
/resource/preventing
-emotional-abuse/

6. • Educate yourself about the horrible consequences of all forms of child abuse.
• Talk to the teacher (if you’re a Para), or Talk to the principal.
• Communicate with the child’s parents
• Pay attention to children's basic needs
• Look for opportunities to incorporate specific self-esteem activities and positive
learning strategies within your daily program.
• Give students information or feedback about themselves to assist their positive
development of their identity. For example, 'You are someone who makes friends
easily'. 'You really try hard to solve difficult problems'. 'You are always on time'.
Strategies
What a Teacher or Para Can Do to Help

7. • www.drjonicewebb.com/about-emotional-neglect/
• www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/child-abuse/
• www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/child-abuse-and-
neglect/
• www.child-abuse-effects.com/emotional-child-abuse
Cited sources:
For: Proactive Classroom Management (10522132)
Issues influencing youth’s behavior– Presentation
By: Grace Hege May 20, 2017