Background of the study
The World Health Organization defines Child Abuse as the mistreatment of individuals under the age of 18 years that leads to life-long physical and/or mental damage. The term child abuse encompasses the discussion of a range of adverse behavior against children including emotional abuse, sexual abuse, negligence, commercial exploitation and many more. Child Abuse is not only a staggering social menace all over the world but also a different landscape to study the cause and impact properly. This initial chapter of the research paper will define the area of study and also state the specific research problem and questions.
Child abuse is a global problem of huge scale and has drawn a lot of research attention. Child abuse or maltreatment is a vast area of study and to complete this research paper within a reasonable time and within limited resources, the paper will only concentrate particularly on the impact of child abuse within the household in the USA. As child abuse is a problem that needs global serious attention and the subject matter is very sensitive, the current research paper will only draw from secondary sources such as newspaper articles and journal articles.
As stated above, the specific research area for this research paper is the abuse and neglect of children within households in the USA. The American Academy of Pediatrics’ safety and Prevention guidelines issued for the parents and guardians have duly noted that child abuse in the USA occurs within the household in most cases. The guideline also states that yearly, near about 7 million children fall victim to child abuse and neglect (“Risk Factors That Contribute to Child Abuse and Neglect”, 2022).
Children are the future of this planet and child abuse has severe consequences on the physical and mental well-being as well as the children’s development is also jolted. Studies around the world have shown significantly important results on the long-term effects of child abuse and neglect within households. This particular topic of research has significant scope in mitigating the social issues related to the abuse and neglect of children within households. Inquiry into the research topic in more detail can positively benefit the protection and safeguarding of children in the USA and around the world.
This specific chapter of the research paper will highlight the specific problem area that the research is concerned with. This chapter will also include the working thesis and the research questions that will guide the study further.
In modern society, there is no doubt that child abuse and neglect are serious concerns that have significant ramifications for children, their families, and society as a whole. Defining the problem and its scope, as well as coming to an agreement about it, is essential to devise an effective response. Despite this, it has proved challenging to achieve clarity in the area of child abuse and neglect. Legal definitions of child abuse and neglect vary depending on the state. Researchers continue to apply diversified standards in locating prevalence and incidence rates in population-based and clinical studies. However, the area of research concerning the abuse and neglect of children within the household remains a problem in both determination and addressing the problems. Child abuse suffered within the household has furthermore adverse effects on the mental and physical well-being of children.
Research area
This research paper aims to identify the long-term impacts of child abuse that occurred within households on the emotional and cognitive development of children in the United States of America.
- To identify the various reasons for child abuse within the households
- To identify the specific effects of child abuse that occurred within households
- To point out the negative impacts of child abuse on the cognitive and emotional development of children
- To highlight the interrelations of child abuse within households and socioeconomic variables
As mentioned before in pointing out the scope of the research topic, this particular research paper will contribute to the study of child abuse and the long-term emotional damages that children suffer from it. Research has shown that children who suffer abuse at the hands of a known person within the household develop severe mental-health-related disorders such as paranoia and anxiety disorder.
This research paper will conduct research into the topic of child abuse within households to substantiate the thesis statement that the emotional and cognitive development of children is negatively affected by abuse occurred in the household.
Q 1. What are the specific socio-economic conditions that enable child abuse within the households?
Q 2. What is the nature of the relationship between child abuse and the development of children?
Q 3. How do child neglect and lack of knowledge enable abuse of children within the households?
Q 4. How does child abuse occur within households emotionally and socially damage children?
In this chapter of the research paper, previously published literature will be reviewed in order to shape the research into the topic of child abuse within households. The literature review will be done with the goal of answering the questions set for conducting the study. The literature review will also guide the research paper in aligning the specific problems and then analyze them in order to reach a conclusion.
To determine the negative effects of child abuse within the households it is imperative to identify the specific socio-economic determinants and reasons behind the occurrence of a large number of child abuse cases within households. According to the opinion of Antai, Braithwaite & Clerk (2016), child abuse occurring within the households can be seen as a result of the adverse environment within the family or home. Reasons for child abuse, specifically when the perpetrator is the mother or the father can be connected to the unhealthy situation created by the unequal relationship between the parents or the family members. The authors also point out the factor of a lower level of education as a contributing social factor to child abuse within the households. McLeigh, McDonell & Lavenda (2018) on the other hand have pointed out the importance of considering the influence of poverty in particular neighborhoods on child abuse. The authors have identified the poverty of parents and insecurity related to housing and sustenance as important reasons for child abuse within the households. Hunter & Flores (2021) are of the view that parental educational levels and lack of proper knowledge among caregivers often lead to a higher level of vulnerability in children in their own homes. The authors explain the detailed relationship between lack of knowledge among parents and child abuse occurring in the households. Research also shows that often the perpetrator does not have an idea of the damage caused by their actions.
Importance of the topic
Research shows indications that child abuse victims suffer from long-term adverse consequences and even impacts that are intergenerational. Victims of child abuse often lag in developing behavioral development as well as emotional and social development. Toth & Manly (2019) have categorically pointed out the developmental consequences of childhood abuse and neglect. Along with the physical and mental health consequences, the authors also pointed out the occurrence of trust issues and paranoia among children who suffered abuse within the households. The authors have also pointed out the long-term trauma that is incited by abuse. According to the opinion of Herrenkohl et al. (2017), there is an important connection between adolescent and/or adult criminal behavior and child abuse. The authors explain criminal behavior as one of the serious negative effects of trauma and stress suffered due to abuse in childhood.
Dye (2018) points out the damage to brain functioning among children who suffer abuse as children. These malfunctions in the brain cause children to face difficulties in developing social and cognitive abilities. Young & Widom (2014) point out the significantly severe negative effects of child abuse on the cognitive and emotional development of children. In this connection, Fayaz (2019) mentions the important interrelation between child abuses suffered within households often causing emotional instability among growing children and adolescents. The stress caused by emotional negligence leads to emotional incompetency among children who suffer from child abuse in their homes. According to the opinion of Warmingham et al. (2021), disabilities related to decision-making and other cognitive competencies can be cited as the results of emotional damages suffered due to child abuse. These decision-making impairments also lead to the development of maladjusted behavior among adolescents. According to the opinion of Hong, Rhee & Piescher (2018), depending on the duration and timing of abuse in childhood, children develop cognitive disabilities which significantly hamper their academic achievements and the development of social skills. Emotional and cognitive incompetence developed among children are also related to the display of criminal behavior among adolescents.
In connection with the above literature reviewed, it can be said that previously published literature on the topic has significantly covered the connections between child abuse and its social and individual levels factors. The pieces of literature reviewed have also discussed the important variables that influence child abuse within households. The reviewed literature also highlights the important connections between child abuse within households and cognitive and emotional development in children. However, the reviewed literature does have a significant gap in terms of discussing the exact connection between abuse suffered within households and cognitive and emotional impairments developed among children. With the help of the analysis of secondary sources, this research paper aims at addressing this aforementioned gap.
In this chapter of the research paper, the methodology chosen to complete the study will be laid out in detail. To reach the most appropriate research methodology and data analysis methods the proper use of Saunders’ Research Onion has been significantly important. With the help of Saunders’ Research Onion, a varied range of methods and research philosophies were considered and then the most fitting ones were decided on (Sahay, 2016).
Problem statement
The current research paper is divided into 6 chapters. Each of the chapters is preceded by an introduction to the chapter and its content. The first chapter lays out the background and significance of the study. The second chapter outlines the research aim, objectives and directive questions. The consecutive chapters contain the relevant literature review and analyses of the collected data. The research is conducted based only on secondary materials. The research paper includes a detailed literature review and also includes a thorough thematic analysis of the collected data.
The current research paper utilizes qualitative research. The collection will be thematically categorized and the analysis will help in answering the initial research questions. The research paper will also utilize grounded theory in completing the study of child abuse within households. Already established theories will be utilized in analyzing the collected data for the research.
For the purpose of this research paper, only secondary data will be collected. Secondary data sources include previously published journal articles, reports on child abuse from the state and federal governments and also specific cases highlighted in the news media. The secondary data will be collected with the use of the observational method. Observations include the observation of the data collected for previously published studies and research articles.
The collected data will be analyzed by the use of thematic analysis. The use of discourse analysis will also be included in this research. Different discourses identified throughout the conduction of the research for the paper will guide the analysis section of the research paper.
As the topic of this research is sensitive and the data analysis is dependent upon the availability of data of such sort, this study is limited. The limitations of this research paper also include a gap in resources such as access to empirical data on the connections between child abuse and cognitive and emotional development; and a lack of filing of reports of such cases.
This section of the research paper lays out the analysis of the collected data from the secondary sources. This section categorizes the research results according to relevant themes. This particular section enables the addressing of the research questions and also enables the research to conclude.
Research by Roberts et al. (2020) shows that there is a connection between child abuse and dementia developed among middle-aged women. Medical research has also shown similar indications of other emotional or psychological damages caused by childhood trauma inflicted by abuse. Researchers have also related the mistrust developed among children due to abuse suffered in childhood at the hands of known people. Later in their lives, these individuals are more likely to develop cognitive and emotional disabilities.
Research conducted by Valentino et al. (2022) has shown a significantly important relationship between children’s maladjusted behavior and childhood abuse. In significant research, the authors have pointed out that abuse and neglect of children within the household lead to the development of a poor environment that significantly hampers the children’s emotional and cognitive development. Research by Restrepo, Chesin & Jeglic (2016) shows significant relations between social maladjustment and suicidal behavior among teenagers and adults. In an important development, the research shows that maladjusted behavior among children and adolescents is a negative result of childhood neglects at the hands of people from family or caregivers.
Objectives
Drawing from the above analysis, it can be said that there is still a huge gap between research and social action regarding the mitigation of issues related to child abuse. The first mitigating strategy that can be implemented is increasing educational initiatives for parents. An increased amount of education for parents related to child abuse can yield positive results. Other mitigating strategies include educating younger children and caregivers regarding the dangers of child abuse and neglect. From the above analysis, it is thoroughly clear that child abuse occurring in households is still a very under-researched social issue. Besides the clinical implications, there are also severe social implications of child abuse such as criminal behavior and anti-social behavior.
With the help of discourse analysis of the collected data, it has also been noted that lack of awareness and knowledge regarding the harmful effects of child abuse on the later development of the victims. It has also been discovered that in society, child abuse is largely seen as a detached phenomenon. This leads to further complications on the topic of child abuse. Among other mitigating strategies, creating awareness regarding the interconnectedness of child abuse and social issues like crime and negligence in parenting can also yield positive results. Proper interventions from the authorities are also of utmost importance in this particular case.
Conclusion
In conclusion to the above research, it can be said that child abuse has a larger social implication beyond the specific harm caused to the individual who is the victim. Significant connections have been also noticed between the incidents of child abuse and the development of psychological disorders in later life. Significant research showing the connections between cognitive impairment and childhood trauma caused by abuse and neglect has also been cited throughout the research paper. The research paper has positively substantiated the thesis statement through the utilization of secondary sources. The research questions have also been methodically answered with the help of discourse analysis. Predominant issues and misguidance in society related to the severe negative implications of child abuse also complicate the problem further. In conclusion, it can be said that child abuse within households significantly hampers the cognitive and emotional development of children.
Reference List
Antai, D., Braithwaite, P., & Clerk, G. (2016). Social determinants of child abuse: evidence of factors associated with maternal abuse from the Egypt demographic and health survey. Journal of injury and violence research, 8(1), 25. Doi: 10.5249%2Fjivr.v8i1.630
Dye, H. (2018). The impact and long-term effects of childhood trauma. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 28(3), 381-392. Doi: 10.1080/10911359.2018.1435328
Fayaz, I. (2019). Child abuse: effects and preventive measures. The International Journal of Indian Psychology, 7(2), 871-884. Doi:10.25215/0702.105
Herrenkohl, T. I., Jung, H., Lee, J. O., & Kim, M. H. (2017). E ff ects of child maltreatment, cumulative experiences, and proximal life stress on adult crime and antisocial behavior. Doi: https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/250506.pdf
Hong, S., Rhee, T. G., & Piescher, K. N. (2018). Longitudinal association of child maltreatment and cognitive functioning: Implications for child development. Child Abuse & Neglect, 84, 64-73. Doi: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2018.07.026
Hunter, A. A., & Flores, G. (2021). Social determinants of health and child maltreatment: a systematic review. Pediatric research, 89(2), 269-274. Doi: 10.1038/s41390-020-01175-x
McLeigh, J. D., McDonell, J. R., & Lavenda, O. (2018). Neighborhood poverty and child abuse and neglect: The mediating role of social cohesion. Children and Youth Services Review, 93, 154-160. Doi: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2018.07.018
Restrepo, D. M., Chesin, M. S., & Jeglic, E. L. (2016). The relationship between social maladjustment, childhood abuse and suicidal behavior in college students. International Journal of Psychology and Psychological Therapy, 16(3), 235-248. Doi: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/316546028_The_Relationship_between_Social_Maladjustment_Childhood_Abuse_and_Suicidal_Behavior_in_College_Students/link/602fee784585158939b65345/download
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Sahay, A. (2016). Peeling saunder’s research onion. Research Gate, Art, 1-5. Doi: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Arunaditya-Sahay/publication/309488459_Peeling_Saunder’s_Research_Onion/links/5813283508aedc7d89609ea8/Peeling-Saunders-Research-Onion.pdf
Toth, S. L., & Manly, J. T. (2019). Developmental consequences of child abuse and neglect: Implications for intervention. Child Development Perspectives, 13(1), 59-64. Doi: 10.1111/cdep.12317
Valentino, K., Speidel, R., Fondren, K., Behrens, B., Edler, K., Cote, K., & Cummings, E. M. (2022). Longitudinal effects of reminiscing and emotion training on child maladjustment in the context of maltreatment and maternal depressive symptoms. Research on child and adolescent psychopathology, 50(1), 13-25. Doi: 10.1007/s10802-021-00794-0
Warmingham, J. M., Handley, E. D., Russotti, J., Rogosch, F. A., & Cicchetti, D. (2021). Childhood attention problems mediate effects of child maltreatment on decision-making performance in emerging adulthood. Developmental psychology, 57(3), 443. Doi: 10.1037/dev0001154
Young, J. C., & Widom, C. S. (2014). Long-term effects of child abuse and neglect on emotion processing in adulthood. Child abuse & neglect, 38(8), 1369–1381.doi:10.1016%2Fj.chiabu.2014.03.008
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