Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse, which is also known as psychological maltreatment, is a form of abuse characterized by a person subjecting or exposing another person to behavior that may result in the psychological distress of the victim. Emotional abuse is the least studied of all the forms of maltreatment (generally, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional/psychological abuse, and neglect). Such abuse is often associated with situations of power imbalance, such as abusive romantic relationships, abusive caregivers, or bullying. Emotional abuse can be perpetrated in childhood or adolescence by caregivers or peers; in adulthood by romantic partners, colleagues, or peers; and in elderly populations as well by caregivers. Therefore, the risk for psychological maltreatment persists throughout the life span. Although this entry touches on domestic violence, the focus is ...