Abusive experiences during childhood, whether verbal or physical, can produce identical negative effects, research demonstrates
A recent study, published in the journal BMJ Open, has shed light on the connection between verbal abuse in childhood and mental health in adulthood. The research, which analyzed data from over 20,000 adults across seven different studies in England and Wales, found that verbal abuse can have a 60% increase in the likelihood of low well-being in adulthood.
The study used the Adverse Childhood Experiences tool to evaluate childhood experiences and components of adult mental health using the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale. The findings add to the existing evidence around the impacts of verbal abuse, a growing concern globally, particularly among adolescents and young adults.
Verbal abuse is defined as the use of harsh, insulting, rude, or offensive language directed at a person with the intent to humiliate, degrade, threaten, coerce, or intimidate them. It often involves yelling, shouting, frequent put-downs, criticism, name-calling, and use of threatening or derogatory language.
The impact of verbal abuse on mental health in adulthood can be profound and long-lasting. Exposure to verbal abuse, especially in formative years, is linked to several negative outcomes, including changes in brain areas involved in language processing, difficulties with verbal skills, and broader emotional and psychological harm.
Adults who experienced verbal abuse may suffer from reduced self-esteem and self-worth due to persistent demeaning and critical language. They are also at an increased risk of depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders resulting from ongoing emotional harm and stress. Emotional dependence on the abuser and impaired ability to form healthy relationships are also common.
Symptoms of psychological trauma such as confusion, self-doubt, and feeling “crazy” (often seen in cases of gaslighting, a form of verbal-emotional abuse) are also common. The pervasive nature of verbal abuse can erode an individual’s sense of self over time, sometimes considered worse than physical abuse because it is harder to escape and less visible.
It's important to be mindful of negative comments and try to repair them with an apology, a correction, and an explanation. The answer isn't just to shame adults, but to support a cultural shift toward everyone being more mindful about the language used toward children.
The issue doesn't stop with parents; all adults who interact with children need to understand the impacts of verbal abuse. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, help is available. Across the United States and the world, resources such as 988 or 988lifeline.org provide support for those in need.
The prevalence of physical abuse in people in England and Wales has halved, from 20% in people born from 1950 to 1979 to 10% in those born in or after 2000, according to the study. However, the prevalence of verbal abuse has increased. This epidemiological shift of a greater burden of verbal abuse across generations is a concerning trend that requires attention and action.
The research underlines the significant connection between verbal abuse in childhood and mental health in adulthood, highlighting the need for a health-and-wellness approach that prioritizes mental health. The study's findings suggest that verbal abuse can lead to long-lasting psychological harm, impacting areas such as self-esteem, emotional wellness, and the ability to form healthy relationships. Thus, it is essential to foster a culture of science-backed wellness, promoting mindful language use toward children to mitigate the risks associated with verbal abuse.
