Bioetički prilozi Glasnika HKLD-a na temu zlostavljanja djece i mladih

Abstract

In this research study, the author point out to about 30 articles and reports published in the journal of the medical professional association called Journal Of The Croatian Catholic Medical Society (1991–2021) dealing with the issue of abuse of children and about of young people as well as their psychological difficulties. It is noted that abuse and neglect of children can happen in any family and institution, that it depends on socioeconomic, psychological, customary, religious and other factors. Abuse is also present as peer violence (bullying). The author emphasises the importance of developing awareness of the necessity of carrying out preventive actions, education of children and young people, parents and families, as well as the permanent education of experts, especially medical workers. The paper also writes about the psychological difficulties of children and young people, primarily about their depression and suicidality, accompanied by somatic, psychological, emotional and social symptoms. In particular, the paper points out the problem of lack of harmony (synchronicity) between spouses and the negative consequences of parental emotional crises, which often result in the neglect of children and possibly their psychological difficulties.