Signs of Emotional Abuse From Parents
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Medically reviewed by Yolanda Renteria, LPC
Emotional abuse, also known as psychological abuse, is a pattern of behavior perpetuated by a parent that causes a child to experience emotional distress, harms their sense of self-worth, and affects their emotional development. It can include rejection, constant criticism, threats, or emotional neglect.
This article discusses the types of emotional abuse, the signs to look for in children, and the impact it has on those who have had this experience.
Child Abuse Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Getting Help
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), child abuse and neglect are entirely too common in the United States, with 1 in 7 children being a victim. While any child can be a victim of emotional abuse, the CDC notes that children living in poverty are at greater risk of abuse.
While emotional abuse doesn’t leave scrapes or bruises, it can leave severe emotional scars and be just as damaging to a child as physical or sexual abuse. However, because it doesn’t leave physical marks, it can be harder to recognize and more difficult to prove, so people and law enforcement authorities may be less likely to intervene and help the child.
Nonetheless, it’s important to note that child abuse by parents or legal guardians of children below the legal age of 18 is a crime, punishable under the Federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act.
Takeaway
If you are a victim of child abuse or know someone who might be, call or text the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 to speak with a professional crisis counselor.
For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database.
Related: The Emotional Impact of Being Raised by a Narcissistic Parent
Types of Emotional Abuse by Parents
These are some of the types of emotional abuse children may experience from their parents:
Constantly criticizing the child
Blaming the child for adult problems
Rejecting the child repeatedly
Dismissing the child’s feelings
Deliberately causing the child emotional pain
Ridiculing the child or mocking them
Humiliating or publicly shaming the child
Talking down to the child
Calling the child names
Getting angry at the child often
Yelling or swearing at the child
Threatening to abandon the child
Threatening to harm the child or their family members, friends, or pets
Intimidating or scaring the child
Coercing or manipulating the child
Gaslighting the child
Frequently harassing or picking on the child
Ignoring the child or using silence to control their behavior
Withholding love, support, and guidance
Neglecting to care for the child and their needs
Allowing the child to witness domestic violence and abuse
Emotional abuse can be perpetuated in person or online, through text messages, emails, social media, and other digital apps or platforms.
Signs of Emotional Abuse
Signs of Emotionally Abused Children:
Sudden changes in behavior or academic performance
Watchful demeanor, as though waiting for something bad to happen
Nervousness around certain people
A tendency to avoid being around certain people
Withdrawn or unresponsive demeanor
Overly passive or compliant behavior
Early arrival and late departure from school or other activities
Reluctance to go home
Lack of adult supervision
Emotional distress or agitation
Aggression or rage
Signs of Emotionally Abusive Parents:
Rarely touching the child or showing affection
Stating that they do not like the child
Describing the child as a burden
Showing little concern for the child and refusing others’ help
Demanding academic results and sporting performances the child cannot achieve
Berating the child in front of their friends, teachers, or neighbors
Denying that there are any problems at home or school
Telling teachers and other caregivers to discipline the child harshly if they misbehave
Related: Toxic Mother: Definition, Signs, and How to Cope
Impact of Emotional Abuse By Parents
Takeaway
Emotional abuse can make a child feel unwanted, unloved, worthless, and flawed, according to a 2014 study.
Children who grow up with abusive parents may not be able to recognize the abuse, since that’s all they know. They may blame themselves for their parent’s actions and grow up believing that they are not worthy of love or respect.
Emotional abuse can be deeply damaging to children and have lifelong consequences that persist well after the abuse stops. These are some of the negative effects a child may experience as a result of emotional abuse:
Cognitive difficulties, such as difficulty paying attention, learning, and remembering
Academic issues, such as lower attendance in school, poor academic performance, and disciplinary issues
Mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and low self-esteem
Emotional difficulties, including difficulty interpreting, communicating, processing, and regulating emotions
Substance use, such as doing alcohol, nicotine, or drugs at an early age
Behavioral issues, such as acting out, behaving bizarrely, or trying hard to please others
Changes in weight and appetite, which could result in eating disorders, nutrition deficiencies, and malnourishment
Sleep issues, such as insomnia or nightmares
Physical aches and pains, that have no other discernible cause and don’t seem to get better with treatment
Career issues, as a result of lower educational attainment, limited employment opportunities, and an increased risk of delinquency
Relationship issues, due to mostly unhealthy dynamics being modeled
Children who have been emotionally abused are more likely to be abusive to others or to seek out people who are abusive, because this is the relationship dynamic they grew up with. Therefore, they may become victims or perpetrators of abuse in the future. This is known as the intergenerational cycle of violence.
Related: How Emotional Abuse in Childhood Changes the Brain
A Word From Verywell
Emotional abuse can be difficult and traumatic for children to experience, leaving behind deep emotional wounds and severe negative consequences. Therefore, it’s important to recognize the signs and get help for children who might be at risk.
Read Next: Reparenting in Therapy
Read the original article on Verywell Mind.
