OT: Article: Belittling, Shaming Child Causes Lasting Damage

[Guest guest]

I know y'all don't ever do this intentionally, but it just sometimes slips

out. I can remember, much to my regret - even though trying very hard not

to, that I did it occasionally. Also a good article for professionals or

anyone in contact with children.

Mom/Aunt Carol/Carol

Belittling, Shaming Child Causes Lasting Damage

By Schorr

NEW YORK, Apr 01 (Reuters Health) - Parents need to shower their children

with kudos and kisses rather than harsh criticism, according to newly rele

ased guidelines from pediatricians on psychological abuse.

" Physical wounds heal, but psychological scars can last a lifetime, " Dr.

, professor of pediatrics at Ohio State University in Columbus

and chairman of the American Academy of Pediatrics' (AAP) committee on child

abuse, told Reuters Health.

The report, entitled " The Psychological Maltreatment of Children, " is the

first set of guidelines issued by the AAP to address the issue of

psychological mistreatment of children. Published in the April issue of the

journal Pediatrics, the report aims to help pediatricians screen for and spot

this form of abuse.

The report's authors define a variety of ways that parents can

psychologically damage a child, including belittling, shaming, or exploiting;

terrorizing, such as threatening violence against them or a loved one;

denying emotional responsiveness, such as rejecting or denying affection; and

acting inconsistently, for example by making contradictory or unrealistic

demands.

According to , of the million instances of child abuse reported

annually, around 5% to 7% of all reported cases consist exclusively of this

form of psychological abuse.

The report helps pediatricians spot children experiencing psychological

mistreatment by advising which are at greater risk: those whose parents are

involved in a contentious divorce, those who were unwanted or unplanned,

those whose parents abuse drugs or alcohol, and those who are mentally or

physically handicapped.

Children who are mistreated are at greater subsequent risk of suffering a

variety of ailments, including depression and suicidal thoughts, low

self-esteem, impulse control problems, eating disorders, substance abuse

problems, antisocial behavior, delinquency, learning impairments and poor

health.

In addition to being on the lookout for children being abused in this way,

pediatricians should attempt to guide parents towards more appropriate

parenting techniques, noted.

" A lot of parents say, 'I love my child,' " notes . " But do they love

their child as it is--or as they want it to be? " He encouraged parents to put

themselves in their child's shoes and try to reinforce positive behavior

rather than to criticize negative behavior. " The way to shape behavior is to

reward what you want to see, " he said.

SOURCE: Pediatrics 2002;109:e68.