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What Kind of Problems Do Abused Children Go Through as They Grow Up?

Whether it's physical, emotional or sexual abuse, far too many children are hurt by their parents or other caregivers at some point in their lives. Since many cases go unreported, the exact number of abused children is unknown. What is known, however, is that the physical and emotional scars of abuse affect children in many ways throughout their lives.

  1. Physical

    • Although the bruises and broken bones that an abused child may suffer will heal, there are physical effects of abuse that will last a lifetime. According to the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being, a study done by the U.S. Government, certain parts a child's brain may stop developing after he is abused. As a result, the child may struggle with his speech and school work. The study also found that abused children have a greater likelihood to be sickly as adults, suffering from asthma, bronchitis and other illnesses more than those who weren't abused.

    Psychological

    • Many children are never so much as spanked but still suffer tremendous emotional abuse. Parents or caregivers may call children names, ignore them or terrorize them with threats. As a result, children may grow up to be highly anxious and distrusting of others. Abused children also are at greater risk for mental disorders than their peers. According to the Administration for Children and Families, up to 80 percent of abused children in some way fit the criteria for a mental disorder, such as depression or an eating disorder or by the time they reached 21.

    Social

    • The bond that a child forms with her parents and caregivers at an early age affects many of her relationships later on in life, so a child who is abused may never learn how to have a healthy and trusting relationship with friends, a romantic partner or her own children. According to the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being, children who are abused are more likely to develop personality disorders and antisocial traits as they grow up.

    Behavioral

    • Abused children often act out in ways that hurt themselves and others. According to the Administration for Children and Families, abused or neglected children are 25 percent more likely to use drugs, perform poorly in school or become pregnant as a teenager. These children also are more likely to commit crimes, with abused children 11 times more likely to be arrested as juveniles and 2.7 times more likely to be arrested as adults. Sadly, one-third of children who are abused grow up to abuse their own children.

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