Psychological sequelae of emotional abuse in institutionalized children

Abstract EN

Objectives The purpose of this study is to investigate the psychological consequences of emotional abuse in a group of children.

Those abused, were compared with a group of non-abused children.

Methodology Fifty institutionalised children suffering from emotional abuse were compared with a similar number of non-abused non-institutionalised children.

Their age range was from 9.6 to 15.6 years old.

All children were interviewed and assessed using three scales.

These scales were the Arabic versions of the depression scale, the anxiety scale for children and the self-concept scale.

The self-concept scale assesses eight dimensions which are social values, self-confidence, sociability, intelligence, physical wellbeing, emotional stability, vigour and aggression.

Results A comparison of the two groups using /-test showed that the abused children scored significantly lower (p<0.001) in the social values, self-confidence, sociability, intelligence, and emotional stability dimensions on the self-concept scale.

They scored significantly higher on the anxiety and depression scales for children.

Conclusion The results of this study confirm the hypothesis that abused institutionalised children suffer more from psychological disorders compared to non-abused noninstitutionalised children, therefore they are at greater need for psychological care and support