Child Maltreatment

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering the definitions, categories, neurobiological impacts, and protective factors associated with child maltreatment as presented in the lecture.

Child Maltreatment (WHO Definition)

All forms of physical and/or emotional ill-treatment, sexual abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, or commercial or other exploitation, resulting in actual or potential harm to the child’s health, survival, development or dignity in the context of a relationship of responsibility, trust or power.

Acts of Commission

Behaviors categorized as abuse.

Acts of Omission

Behaviors categorized as neglect.

Equifinality

A core principle of developmental psychopathology where multiple pathways or different early experiences can lead to the same developmental outcome.

C. Henry Kempe

The researcher who published “The Battered-Child Syndrome” in 1962, identifying abuse as a medical issue and leading to mandatory reporting laws.

Physical Abuse

The intentional use of physical force that results in, or has the potential to result in, physical injury, such as hitting, punching, kicking, or shaking infants.

Emotional Abuse

Patterns of behavior such as verbal humiliation, rejection, or isolation that harm a child’s emotional development or self-worth; it is often the most difficult type to identify.

Sexual Abuse

Engaging a child in sexual activity they cannot consent to, do not understand, or are not developmentally prepared for, including both contact and non-contact forms.

Grooming

A process where an offender builds trust with a child before abuse through giving gifts, special attention, and secret-keeping.

Neglect

The failure to provide for a child's basic physical, emotional, educational, or medical needs; it is the most common form of maltreatment.

Ecological Model

A framework first proposed by Jay Belsky based on Bronfenbrenner’s theory to analyze risk factors across child, parent, family, community, and societal levels.

Intergenerational Transmission

A parent-level risk factor where parents who were abused as children are at higher risk of maltreating their own children.

Toxic Stress

Strong, frequent, or prolonged activation of the stress response system in the absence of supportive caregiving.

HPA Axis

The Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal axis that controls the stress response; it often becomes dysregulated in maltreated children, causing chronic cortisol elevation.

Amygdala (Impact of Maltreatment)

The brain area responsible for threat detection which becomes overactive due to maltreatment, leading to hypervigilance and heightened fear response.

Prefrontal Cortex (Impact of Maltreatment)

The brain area responsible for self-control and regulation which shows reduced development, leading to poor impulse control and difficulty regulating emotions.

Hippocampus (Impact of Maltreatment)

The brain area responsible for memory and learning which may show reduced volume, associated with memory problems and PTSD.

Hypervigilance

A state of increased alertness and sensitivity to potential threats, commonly seen in maltreated children as a trauma-related symptom.

Resilience

The ability to adapt successfully despite risk or adversity; it is not a personality trait but is influenced by environment, relationships, and individual skills.

Trauma-Focused CBT

A specific intervention technique used to treat children who have experienced maltreatment and trauma.

Relationship Protective Factor

A stable, supportive relationship with at least one caring adult (e.g., parent, teacher, or mentor), which is the most powerful protective factor for a child.