Behavioural Consequences of Child Abuse

Abstract

Children who have been subject to early neglect or abuse may later develop considerable behaviour problems including depression, emotional instability and a propensity to be violent or aggressive with others. The wearisome behaviours may continue for a lengthy period of time even though the child has been placed in foster care centres, and the neglectful or abusive environment has stopped. Various neurobiological researches have observed that early neglect and abuse may result in distorted physiological response to tense stimuli, which affects the subsequent development of child's socialisation in a catastrophic way. The main focus of the paper would be upon discussing the various consequences of child abuse on behavioural development, and pointing out some behavioural clues which may send a signal that child abuse is still continuing. In the paper, the effects of the child abuse, on the various stages of behavioural developments, would be also analysed. The behaviour of the child is an external manifestation of inner security and stability. It is like a lens by which the family doctor can view the child's development all the way through the child's life. It is impossible to point out that which type of abuse has the most destructive effect on children. The various kinds of abuse can be classified as emotional abuse, psychological abuse and physical abuse, either of these abuses have the ability to affect the mental and behavioural development of the child. Family doctors should be alert and aware of the various clues which might suggest that the child abuse is taking place or that it is still subsisting, so that proper interventions can be taken to advance the interests of the children so affected. The role played by them can be vital in supporting caregivers by helping them understand the altered responses of the neglected or the abused child, mobilising accessible community resources and formulating strategies to cope up with the situation. Therefore, keeping in view that child abuse has very grave consequences for the development of child and family health throughout the whole life cycle, family doctor or physician should be conscious of the various sequelae and presentations of the child abuse, so that necessary interventions can be taken. However, universal screening is not suggested. The author would take recourse to systematic research while reviewing the clinical review articles, websites of child protection agency and relevant research.