Effect of Neglect and Abuse on Psychopathology

Abstract

Drawing heavily from the body of existing academic literature, this scholarly exposition carefully examines the profound effects of childhood abuse and neglect on the ontogenesis of psychopathology. Early negative experiences, including as physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as other forms of neglect, interfere with normal developing paths. Research continually shows that these traumatic experiences lead to substantial changes in brain activity, which in turn affects the effectiveness of emotional control and stress response systems, resulting in the development of maladaptive coping strategies and insecure attachment schemas. Studies by Sperry et al. (2013) have confirmed the mediating role of social support in reducing long-term effects; similarly, studies by Young and Widom (2014) have demonstrated observable emotional processing deficiencies in victims of abuse. Additionally, within communities of maltreated children, Cicchetti and Rogosch (2001) have discovered unique patterns of neuroendocrine dysregulation. Later research by Charak and Koot (2015) found a correlation between the degree of maltreatment and personality pathology, and Jose and Cherayi (2022) proposed a relationship between behavioral disorders, child maltreatment, and paternal alcohol abuse. In conclusion, Jangam et al. (2022) have shown that women with psychiatric disorders are more likely to experience emotional abuse. When taken as a whole, these empirical results highlight how urgent it is to identify and execute precisely tailored therapies that address the complex and severe long-term impacts of childhood abuse on mental health outcomes.