Many factors impact the effects of abuse and neglect on a child:
- age and development status at time of occurrence
- type of maltreatment
- frequency, duration and severity of maltreatment
- relationship between child and perpetrator
The effects of abuse and neglect differ from child to child, based on their “resilience.” Children are not born with a specific capacity for resilience. Resilience is formed in a child through a combination of protective and risk factors. Some protective factors include:
- healthy attachment
- self-esteem
- intelligence
- emotion regulation
- humor
- independence
Physical Consequences
Physical effects of abuse or neglect of children may include:
- injuries, pain, suffering, or in severe case, death
- poor physical health such as diabetes, malnutrition and obesity
- chronic health conditions during childhood or later in life
- impaired brain development that impacts cognitive, language, academic abilities, and mental health
For more information on maltreatment and brain development, go to:
Supporting Brain Development in in Traumatized Children and Youth
Psychological Consequences
Possible psychological effects include:
- lower IQ scores, cognitive delays and language problems in infants
- borderline personality disorder, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, PTSD
- severe developmental problems and emotional problems
- social difficulties such as attachment disorders, aggression and poor boundaries
Behavioral Consequences
These children are more likely to have behavioral issues, including:
- substance abuse, delinquency, truancy, pregnancy
- sexual risk-taking which can lead to STDs and sexual assault
- juvenile delinquency/engaging in criminal activity
- youth violence and interpersonal violence
Societal Consequences
There are direct and indirect costs to society as a result of abuse and neglect. These include:
- monetary costs for intervention and safety such as police, welfare, court systems
- impacts on the workforce associated with employee issues and absenteeism
- health care costs
For more information, go to