The Short- and Long-Term Effects of Child Abuse and Their Implications for the Suggested Length of Physical and Psychosocial Treatment Regimens

Child abuse is the physical, psychological, or neglectful maltreatment of a child by a caregiver. Intimate partner violence relates closely to child mistreatment. Children are not likely to disclose that their parent or guardian is abusing them. Child abuse may result in short-term consequences, long-term consequences, or death. Some negative outcomes of maltreatment include delinquency, mental health issues, physical problems, educational underachievement, and socioeconomic disparities. The cycle of mistreatment is when a parent who suffered abuse as a child is more likely to maltreat his or her own child. There are factors that protect from the consequences of mistreatment. Research evidence should inform practice as to how to assist victims of child abuse