Physical Child Abuse Effects

Physical child abuse effects vary from child to child, depending on six factors:

»   severity of the physical abuse
»   frequency of the physical abuse
»   age of the child when physical abuse began
»   child's relationship to the abuser
»   availability of support persons
»   child's ability to cope

Severity of the physical abuse: How hard a child is struck is only one aspect of severity. The implement the child is struck with is also a factor. This does not mean that using an open hand or fist will result in fewer or lesser effects; the harm done to the child is measured both by physical injury and emotional injury.

Frequency of the physical abuse: A single incident of physical abuse can result in severe trauma, but generally, the more often the physical abuse occurs the greater the impact on the child.

Age of the child when physical abuse began: The younger the child was at the onset of physical abuse, the greater the imprint, and thus, the greater the impact. This is particularly evident when the abuse continues throughout the child's life.

Child's relationship to the abuser: When a child has a very close relationship with his/her abuser, the feelings of betrayal are that much greater; the very person who is supposed to protect is instead hurting that child.

Availability of support persons: When a child has no one to turn to, increased feelings of abandonment occur, which in turn adds to the physical child abuse effects.

Child's ability to cope: A child will find a way to cope with the abuse. The methods a child uses can add to the effects. Coping skills can be:

• Physical, such as raging or becoming the "comedian" or "class clown". While being "funny" is generally considered an attribute, there are children who use humour to cover up the fact that they are suffering.
• Emotional, such as the child refusing to try anything new for fear of failure, and therefore avoids receiving even more negative messages about themselves.
• Inward, where the child turns against him/herself, either physically (such as in self-harming in the form of cutting or burning) or emotionally (such as in self-blame).
• Outward, such as when the child acts out against someone else.

Children and youth suffer physical pain, trauma, and emotional scars when they are victims of child abuse. The physical child abuse effects also vary depending on the age of the child.

Child

»  does not trust

»  fearful of physical contact

»  startles easily, cowers, cringes

»  afraid when other children cry

»  aggressiveness or withdrawn

»  exaggerated politeness

»  profound sadness

»  difficulties in school

»  difficulty concentrating

»  lying

»  stealing

»  low self-worth

»  psychosomatic illnesses

Youth

»  does not trust

»  developmental lags

»  never cries or always cries

»  extreme aggression or extreme passivity

»  rage

»  thrill-seeking behaviours

»  manipulative

»  self-harm and/or harms others

»  failing in school, truancy

»  sets up negative reactions from others

»  inability to control emotions; physically lashes out

»  short attention span

»  substance abuse

»  runaway

»  criminal behaviours

»  attempted suicide

More child abuse effects pages on this site:

Emotional Abuse Effects	Physical Abuse Effects
Child Neglect Effects	Sexual Abuse Effects

There is a societal price to pay with regard to physical abuse effects as older children become increasingly involved in a variety of self-destructive behaviours:   Physically abused adolescents are likely to engage in many high risk health behaviours: carry weapons, fight physically, consider suicide, smoke cigarettes or marijuana, use alcohol or drugs, have three or more sexual partners (Nelson, Higginson & Grant-Worley, 1995, p. 12561).   According to a study done by Newman & Newson (1990)2 on physical child abuse effects, the highest predictors of involvement in crime and delinquency are: being hit once per week or more at 11 years of age and having a mother, at that age, with strong beliefs in and a commitment to, corporal punishment. These self-destructive behaviours can lead to: »  the death of the adolescent and/or others »  increased likelihood of incarceration in adulthood »  increased medical costs for psychological problems, as well as the physical effects of long-term substance abuses »  decreased productivity in the work force as these adult victims of physical child abuse attempt to cope with their pasts »  future generations of physical child abuse victims requiring medical and psychological attention as the cycle of abuse is perpetuated A Personal Note: The psychological problems I faced in my late teens and early twenties is a testament to this study. Therapy was what saved me and helped me to become a productive member of society. I wrote a book of my experience. Check it out at my story.

For more U.S. information, physical child abuse effects will take you to a clearinghouse of resources.

Physical Child Abuse pages on this site:

Physical Abuse	Physical Abuse Signs
Abuse & Discipline	Physical Abuse Effects
Physical Abuse Statistics

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Child abuse information pages on this site:

Abuse Headlines	History of Abuse
Sexual Abuse Signs	Child Abuse Stats
Sexual Abuse Effects	Emotional Abuse
Sexual Abuse Stats	Emotional Abuse Types
Sexual Abuse Victims	Emotional Abuse Signs
Male Victims	Emotional Abuse Effects
Female Victims	Bullying
Victims w/ Disability	Emotional Abuse Stats
Sexual Abuse Disclosures	Physical Abuse
Sex Offenders	Physical Abuse Signs
Male Sex Offenders	Abuse & Discipline
Female Sex Offenders	Physical Abuse Effects
Child Sex Offenders	Physical Abuse Stats
Adolescent Sex Offenders	Child Neglect
Incestuous Sex Offenders	Child Neglect Signs
Internet Sex Offenders	Child Neglect Effects
Child Abuse Law	Child Neglect Stats
Age of Majority	Poverty & Neglect
Duty to Report	Sexual Abuse
Abuse Intervention	Sexual Abuse Defined
Abuse Prevention

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References

Physical Child Abuse Effects

1 Nelson, D., Higginson, G., & Grant-Worley, J. (1995, November). Physical abuse among high school students. Arch Pediatric Adolescent Medicine, 149, 1254-1259.

2 Newman, J. & Newson, E. (1990). The extent of physical punishment in the U.K. London: Approach.

Back to Child Abuse Effects Homepage Physical Child Abuse Effects page

Physical child abuse effects page last revised August 3, 2007