Discuss the Short and Long Term Effects of Physical Abuse

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The Answer is PHYSICAL ABUSE: A number of short-term effects of physical abuse have been determined.These include greater perceptual-motor deficits,lower measured intellectual functioning,lower academic achievement,externalizing behaviour such as aggression,and internalizing mental health difficulties such as hopelessness and depression.In a review of studies examining the long-term effects of physical abuse,Malinosky-Rummell and Hansen (1993)reported strong relations between physical abuse and nonfamilial and familial violence.Physically abused persons,especially males,engage in more nonfamilial violence than nonabused persons.In terms of familial violence,about 30% of physically abused or neglected persons abuse their own children (Kaufman & Zigler,1987; Widom,1989b).Moreover,being abused as a child predicted inflicting and receiving dating violence in a sample of university students.Also,spouses who were abusive reported higher rates of physical abuse than nonabusive spouses.Thus,experiencing physical abuse appears to increase the likelihood of perpetrating physical abuse.
SEXUAL ABUSE: Kendall-Tackett,Williams,and Finkelhor (1993 )examined 45 studies that considered the short-term effects of childhood sexual abuse.Common effects across the studies were behaviour problems,lowered self-esteem,inappropriate sexuality,and symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder.Research has found that within two years of being abused,children report a number of physical difficulties such as sleep disturbance,eating disorders,stomach problems,and headaches.Putnam (2003)identified three categories of outcomes in adults with a history of childhood sexual abuse (i.e.,long-term effects): (1)psychiatric disorders (depression), (2)dysfunctional behaviours (sexualized behaviours),and (3)neurobiological dysregulation (reduced hippocampal volume).Other long-term risks for
sexually abused children include depression,self-injurious behaviours,anxiety,and interpersonal distrust

Discuss the Short and Long Term Effects of Physical Abuse

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