A study conducted on more than 20,000 adults shows that verbal abuse suffered in childhood can have as serious effects on mental health as physical abuse. Although the number of cases of physical abuse on children has reduced in recent years, verbal abuse has an increasing incidence, often adults are not aware of the severity of the phenomenon.
Cases of verbal abuse has increased significantly. Photo: Shutterstock
People exposed to both forms of abuse have a double risk of developing mental problems in adulthood, The Independent reports.
According to research led by Liverpool University John Moores, adults who suffered physical abuse in childhood had 52% more risks of having a precarious mental state, and in the case of verbal abuse, the percentage climbs to 64%. Exposure to both types of abuse amplifies the risk up to 115%.
“Our research shows that childhood verbal abuse can leave mental scars as deep and durable as physical abuse. Important progress has been made in reducing physical abuse, but verbal abuse is often overlooked,” said Professor Mark Bellis, the main author of the study.
The analysis, carried out on more than 20,000 adults from England and Wales, published in the BMJ Open medical journal, indicates that, while the prevalence of physical abuse on children has halved in recent decades, verbal abuse has increased significantly. If among those born before 1950 it affected about 12% of children, it currently affects one in five. In the case of physical abuse, the figures decreased from 20% to 10% in the same period.
The researchers estimate that at present a child in six is the victim of physical abuse, and one in three is subject to verbal abuse, most often from the family or caregivers.
“This study confirms what survivors and professionals have been knowing for a long time: words can hurt deeply and can have a long -term impact on mental health and developing a child. We all have moments of overload, but too many adults resort to harsh words without realizing the damage that causes (…) any progress. To combat the long-term effects of a raw, critical or controller. Jessica Bondy, the founder of the Words Matter organization, warned.
