This disdain and disrespect for the targeted parent in front of the child is another
form of psychological maltreatment as it permanently affects their view of the targeted parent, which transfers to their view of themselves.
In fact, the strategies of alienating parents, which include «spurning, terrorizing, isolating, corrupting or exploiting and denying emotional responsiveness,» are reportedly extreme measures
of psychological maltreatment of children.
(2005) In Family Violence Across the Lifespan: An Introduction View Abstract Considers the
dynamics of psychological maltreatment and describes current knowledge about the risk factors, negative effects, and intervention strategies associated with this form of abuse.
Psychological maltreatment may result in a myriad of long - term consequences for the child victim.14 A chronic
pattern of psychological maltreatment destroys a child's sense of self and personal safety.
The majority (62 percent) had a
history of psychological maltreatment, and nearly a quarter (24 percent) of all the cases were exclusively psychological maltreatment, which the study defined as care - giver inflicted bullying, terrorizing, coercive control, severe insults, debasement, threats, overwhelming demands, shunning and / or isolation.
Ideally, the pediatrician will be able to describe the child's baseline emotional, developmental, educational, and physical characteristics before the onset
of psychological maltreatment and document the subsequent adverse consequences of psychological maltreatment.
Pediatricians should be aware of risk factors in children and families that may predispose to psychological maltreatment and should recognize the types and consequences
of psychological maltreatment.
Because the major consequences
of psychological maltreatment may take years to develop, delayed reporting of suspected psychological maltreatment (in an effort to document these adverse consequences more completely) may not be in the child's best interests.