Verbal Aggression Towards Children Is Equally Damaging as Physical or Sexual Abuse, Study Reveals

By Lucia Paula , Parent Herald Oct 03, 10:48 am

Photo: (Photo : OLIVER BUNIC/AFP via Getty Images)

Recent groundbreaking research, jointly conducted in the US and London, has presented a startling revelation. The act of shouting at children, previously regarded by many as a benign disciplinary method, can be as damaging as subjecting them to sexual or physical abuse.

This eye-opening study, commissioned and supported by the UK charity Words Matter, found its way into the prestigious journal Child Abuse & Neglect. The research strongly emphasizes the pressing need to officially recognize childhood verbal abuse (CVA) as a distinct and legitimate "form of maltreatment."

Wingate University and UCL Join Forces for Comprehensive Study

This intensive research project was a collaboration between academicians and experts from Wingate University in North Carolina and the reputable University College London (UCL). Their joint effort meticulously evaluated a combination of 149 quantitative and 17 qualitative studies, all focused on CVA.

Through this expansive examination, several recurring patterns emerged, drawing attention to the defining characteristics of abuse. These encompassed aspects like "negative speech volume, tone, and speech content" and, notably, the immediate and long-term detrimental effects they can induce.

Digging deeper into the demographics of perpetration, the study's findings were somewhat unsettling. It revealed that those often in the closest proximity to the children, including parents, with a particular emphasis on mothers, and educators, emerged as the most frequent culprits of CVA.

The adverse effects of CVA aren't merely short-lived emotional responses. UCL's input on the study highlighted the prolonged nature of these impacts. Victims of such verbal mistreatment face a heightened risk of several emotional, psychological, and physical conditions. These include obesity, escalated instances of anger, increased tendencies towards substance abuse, depression, and even acts of self-harm.

A Notable Rise in Childhood Emotional Abuse Over Years

One of the pivotal components of this research calls for an imperative re-evaluation and a clearer definition of CVA. As of now, the overarching framework of childhood maltreatment identifies four primary categories: physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect. However, this study proposes that the scope of this framework should expand, recognizing verbal abuse as a distinct, standalone category that requires its own set of guidelines and interventions.

In an interesting observation, the research team noted a concerning trend: instances of childhood emotional abuse have seen a significant uptick in recent years.

Professor Peter Fonagy, a co-author of the study and the head of the Division of Psychology and Language Sciences at UCL, commented on the overarching implications of their findings. He expressed, "Preventing the maltreatment of children remains our most potent tool in reducing the prevalence of child mental health issues."

He further extolled the commendable efforts of initiatives such as Words Matter, emphasizing, "Their concentrated efforts, combined with studies like this, are poised to usher in a transformative change, steering our collective endeavors to identify, understand, and aptly respond to this often-overlooked risk, ensuring the welfare of our younger generation."

To sum up, this study is not just an academic exercise but a clarion call to society. It demands the formal acknowledgment of CVA as a unique form of maltreatment. Recognizing and addressing it proactively is the foundational step towards offering better protection and nurturing environments to children everywhere, championing their emotional and mental well-being.