Abstract
This book, designed for students preparing for work in the child welfare system, or early career child protective services (CPS) professionals, summarizes the empirical evidence regarding perhaps the least understood yet one of the most damaging forms of child maltreatment. Each chapter begins with an overview that establishes a spirit of inquiry by posing the questions it will seek to answer. The author indicates his intent to draw a clear distinction between emotional abuse and poor-parenting practices. In my estimation, he achieves this goal by providing research-based criteria to assist child welfare professionals in making this important and difficult distinction for themselves when investigating reports of maltreatment. The writing style is descriptive and would be easy for undergraduate students to understand.
Each chapter, discussed below, focuses on summarizing the empirical evidence on the topic, relying when available on systematic literature reviews and meta-analyses, and setting a tone for evidence-informed practice and field-based research application. At times, the book endeavors to teach readers to critically appraise research and discusses the challenges associated with certain research designs, data, and its synthesis. Throughout the book, case examples are offered illustrating the variance in circumstances in which emotional abuse occurs. At the end of each chapter, key chapter “takeaways,” a glossary of concepts, and class discussion questions are offered. These questions generally go beyond asking students to recall content to promote higher levels of critical thinking, personal reflection, and practical application, which would be useful in the classroom.
Chapter 1 covers the recognition and basic information. This chapter focuses on definitions and subtypes, providing a summary of those factors that distinguish this form of maltreatment, such as a pattern of behavior with the potential to impact the child’s self-image and well-being and the importance of context in this intangible form of abuse. This chapter closes with a discussion of prevalence and challenges of available data in this regard.
Chapter 2 analyzes the underlying causes of emotional abuse by examining evidence regarding family and perpetrator characteristics. A few relevant theories are discussed which help to understand contributors to child maltreatment, along with guidance regarding the characteristics and purpose of good theory. Some review of research supporting the theories discussed is offered. While only a sampling of social and sociological theories are covered, this material is instructive regarding the role of theory in practice. It is in this chapter a small shortcoming emerges. Evidence and theories related to child maltreatment in general as opposed to emotional abuse specifically are interspersed throughout the book. The author is, of course, not responsible for the fact that much available research and theory encompasses multiple forms of maltreatment, and it would be a mistake to omit this material. However, the reader must be careful to note when evidence is presented that is focused more broadly than on emotional abuse so as not to misinterpret the material. This is especially true in the frequent discussion of child neglect along with emotional abuse. The reality is that different forms of maltreatment have quite different mechanisms and impact.
Chapter 3 examines the effects of emotional abuse. This chapter is rich with research findings regarding an array of types of potential impact. It appropriately begins with a discussion of the adverse childhood experiences (often referred to as “ACEs”) research. Other types of effects discussed include mental health (including international research suggesting cross-cultural impact), substance abuse/alcohol dependence, physical health, and violence. The chapter lays an important foundation for the final chapter addressing treatment.
Chapter 4 describes the assessment of emotional abuse in a very pragmatic, practice-focused manner. This is an ambitious undertaking because it attempts to summarize assessment and standards of practice in a nation in which there is a lot of variance in how states approach child protection investigations. This chapter may describe CPS in a manner which suggests more consistency across states than is actually the case. For example, it is asserted that the investigations of emotional abuse must be initiated in 24 hr (p. 95) when in fact this is not accurate in all states. This is certainly not a critical flaw, as local context can easily supplement the information in this text. The chapter includes excellent detail differentiating emotional abuse from poor or dysfunctional parenting from healthy or positive parenting across several criteria. This is critical content for future child welfare workers. An overview of CPS practice is offered based on a few states’ policy manuals. Special attention is paid to the difficult task of assessing preschool children for emotional abuse. This chapter offers a practical, hands-on description of assessment strategies and tools and risk and safety factors to be considered. Although the description of standardized assessment instruments is not exhaustive, it is useful in its consideration of dimensions measured, reliability and validity, as well as how tools can be accessed. This treatment of the topic of assessment promotes standardization in practice, while recognizing the limitations of tools and the need for a variety of assessment strategies.
Chapter 5, written by Sarah Ascienzo, summarizes the intervening and treating emotional abuse, primarily covering interventions targeting child maltreatment more broadly rather than emotional abuse specifically. Theoretical perspectives informing intervention, including strength-based and culturally competent practice, are discussed as well as the importance of clinical decision-making and evidence-based practice (EBP). Sources of current information on the ever-changing pool of EBPs provide important resources for students since the techniques described in the chapter may become outdated, as new EBPs, hopefully targeting emotional abuse, are established. The author summarizes the common factors associated with effective intervention. While the author’s assertion that intervention rarely occurs in families where emotional abuse occurs in the absence of other maltreatment may not necessarily be accurate, her discussion of intervention techniques is well grounded in Glaser’s (2011) categorization of emotional abuse and associated intervention approaches. An array of approaches is described including parent-focused, child-focused, and parent–child-focused techniques, common components, treatment phases, and a summary of the evidence supporting them. This chapter ends with a brief discussion of prevention and current trends in trauma-informed care.
Consistent with the book’s habit of offering a variety of sources of additional information, three appendices are included. The first provides information on additional assessment tools. Appendix B, entitled Resources, is part annotated bibliography and part directory of national organizations relevant to the topic. Appendix C provides an outline for biopsychosocial and trauma-informed clinical assessment, including topics to be covered, and clinical activities to be used, including interviews, observation, and instrumentation.
In summary, from the perspective of a child welfare researcher and former child welfare worker, supervisor and trainer, this book fills an important gap in textbooks associated with child welfare practice. Overall, it provides an accurate and directly applicable discussion and analysis of the primary topics of interest to future child welfare workers and therapists regarding emotional abuse. It is written in an engaging and understandable manner, while purposefully integrating a presentation and, at times a critique, of the current evidence base regarding each topic. It subtly educates the reader on evaluating such evidence, research designs, and theory to inform practice. Despite the few shortcomings noted, this book would be an excellent text for use in child welfare and clinical practice courses.