A child’s caregiver can pose a risk against a child’s mental development. The most detrimental risk factors include; having a teenage caregiver, single caregiver, caregiver with substance abuse, domestic violence against the caregiver or poverty. These types of problems can affect a child’s development process dramatically.
Emotional abuse can cause long-term consequences. The effects may appear throughout adolescence and adulthood. The risk factors include low self esteem, attention disorders and violent behavior.
Children who have been neglected or abandoned may develop unique psychological disorders. They often have a significantly lower self esteem, as well as trouble with relationships, sometimes becoming disconnected with their feelings.
Physical abuse can cause harmful effects from the start. Depending on the severity of the abuse, the physical risk factors may include, scars, shaken baby syndrome, brain hemorrhages, brain damage or death. However, physical abuse may not only cause physical scars but emotional, as well. The psychological effects may carry on into adulthood, resulting in substance abuse, adult depression and more.
Children who have been sexually abused are at risk for substance abuse, depression, inappropriate sexual behavior and poor self esteem. As with any abuse, the effects may carry on throughout adulthood.