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The effects of child abuse last a lifetime for victims

By Staff Writer

Many people are aware that child abuse can greatly affect a youth during childhood. Maltreatment and neglect can lead to trust issues, depression and low self-esteem in teenagers. However, a new study indicates that the effects of child abuse extend into old age as well.

Research in the Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological and Social Sciences shows that individuals who suffered from parental abuse during their youth are more likely to have poor sleep habits when they become senior citizens.

In order to get these results, researchers analyzed 877 adults who were over the age of 60 through data from the National Survey of Midlife Development in the U.S. They found that senior citizens who complained about difficulty getting enough sleep were more likely to have been abused during childhood, particularly through emotional, rather than physical abuse.

Researchers stated that these results show that the effects of emotional trauma remain with people throughout their lives.

Children who are being abused by a parent may benefit from enrolling in therapeutic schools, which may be able to shield them from the life-long effects of mistreatment. 

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