Surviving and Coping with Emotional Abuse in Childhood

Abstract

Emotional abuse, even when it is the sole form of abuse, can be psychologically harmful, but there are a number of internal and environmental factors that may protect children from ultimate damage. External factors are of importance to practitioners because they are more amenable to positive change through intervention. The objective of the research was to explore what factors in emotionally abused children’s environments might be important in helping them cope with their abusive childhoods. The method of inquiry was through in-depth, unstructured interviews with 14 adults who had survived significant emotional abuse in childhood. Although a number of external factors was identified by the interviewees, the non-abusing parent did not feature as one of these factors. Other family members, including siblings, grandparents and, particularly aunts, provided support to the majority of interviewees. Friends, teachers and other professionals were all helpful, while religious groups had a positive role for some. Non-human lifelines such as pets, toys and books were important to several children. The implications of these findings for intervention are discussed.