In a recent study, it found that over 62% of children feel neglected and 16.6% of children are a victim of physical abuse. Thats over 899,000 children abused and neglected only in the year of 2005 (Child Abuse and Neglect Statistics.2007). A child being abused and feeling neglected can affect the domains of development such as psychological , emotional, behavioral, and social. There are many possibilities of consequences from child abuse. Problems such attachment and interpersonal problems, aggressive behavior, and social conflicts can all be a result of childhood abuse.
Babies and young infants that suffer from abuse and neglect are more likely than others to experience insecure or disorganized attachment problems (Hunter 2014). For abused children they cannot trust anyone by being betrayed by their caregiver. Insecure attachments alter the normal development process of children, this can hold back children from developing friendships and forming healthy relationships throughout their whole life (Hunter 2014). This is especially true in romantic relationships, because sharing feelings with a loved one requires a great deal of trust and intimacy. That could be hard for those who been abused uncomfortable, due to earlier experiences taught them that loved ones cannot be trusted and that a perfect family is just some fairytale (Berman 2013). Lack of trust can come in many ways, some are haunted by insecurity and doubt , which could then draw them to be suspicious or jealous of a partner. Having to be constantly reassured of their partners love. On the other hand, some might push away those who are loved, holding them back from creating deep and lasting connections due to the fear of getting hurt again (Berman 2013). A life of isolation and loneliness becomes more ideal than becoming vulnerable and intimate with someone. .
Children exposed to abuse and neglect are more likely to inflict pain on others, developing aggressive behaviors in adolescence (Hunter 2014).
