Effects of Emotional Abuse on Self Esteem

Emotional or psychological abuse is defined by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence as "systematic perpetration of malicious and explicit nonphysical acts against an intimate partner, child or dependent adult." It may occur with or without physical or sexual abuse. Examples of emotionally abusive behavior include terrorizing, corrupting or encouraging inappropriate behavior in children, denying emotional responsiveness and shaming or degrading. Self-esteem is significantly and negatively affected by emotional abuse in a variety of ways.

Fear

• Children and adults who are victims of emotional abuse often experience fear as a consequence--fear of being threatened, of course, but also fear of new situations, new people or fear of taking chances and experiencing new things. Victims may have been told that no one will ever love them or that they will never amount to anything, so the result may be individuals with low self-esteem who are afraid to try to build relationships, go to college or apply for a higher paying position at work.

Worthlessness

• A common consequence of emotional abuse is a feeling of worthlessness. Victims may avoid new people and places because they feel they are not worthy of relationships, happiness or success. Individuals who feel worthless are at risk for suicidal thoughts due to the feeling that they have no purpose and have little or no connection to others. Their low self-esteem also puts them at risk for engaging in risky behaviors such as drug and alcohol abuse and promiscuous sex.

Hopelessness

• Victims of emotional abuse often feel there is no way to escape the abuse. This is in part be because the abuser may tell them they cannot leave, but also because their self esteem is so broken down that they feel there is nothing they are capable of doing. This leads to feelings of hopelessness. They have lost hope that their lives will ever get better, regarding their immediate abusive situation as well as their future.

Inability to Cope

• Victims of emotional abuse may have limited healthy coping abilities. Healthy coping involves having a healthy perspective and reasoning skills. Emotional abuse takes a toll on these abilities. They are also at risk for being involved in future emotionally abusive relationships. Women are likely to enter relationships with other abusive men, and children who are victims are likely to enter abusive relationships as adults or become emotionally abusive themselves due to their own insecurities.