ABSTRACT
Child abuse has profound immediate and long-term effects on a child's development. The long-term impact of abuse of a child can be seen in higher rates of psychiatric disorders, increased rates of substance abuse and relationship difficulties [Springer, K. W., Sheridan, J., Kuo, D., & Carnes, M. (2003). The long-term health outcomes of childhood abuse: An overview and a call to action. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 18(10), 864–870. doi:10.1046/j.1525-1497.2003.20918]. Child abuse is an intergenerational problem. Most frequently, the perpetrators of abuse are profoundly damaged people who have been abused and neglected themselves. This article attempts to bring out the psychosocial aspects of a case through Systems Theory and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Furthermore, it focuses on the psychological implications of an abused adult in early childhood and its impact on his development. Social work intervention plans highlight the importance of treatment and evaluation. The article suggests the role of social work profession to deal with this issue.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Notes on Contributors
Dr Emmanuel Janagan Johnson, Ph.D., is working as a Lecturer and Coordinator of Social Work Unit, Department of Behavioural Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of West Indies, St. Augustine Campus Trinidad and Tobago, and is endowed with 24 years of teaching experience. His area of research interest is Women and Children focusing more into the challenges and problems faced by them. He has published two books, and several research articles in the international journals.
Ms Christine James is a postgraduate student in Social Work at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus. Presently she is actively involved in a research on Child Abuse.
ORCID
Emmanuel Janagan Johnson http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2543-1144