Psychological abuse of children is one of the most subtle yet dangerous forms of maltreatment, with long-term effects on children’s emotional and cognitive development. Although numerous studies and case reports have been conducted on physical and sexual abuse, psychological abuse often remains underdocumented or even ignored, precisely because of the difficulty in clearly defining it and the variety of forms in which it manifests. The lack of visible signs and the ambiguity of abusive behaviors make identifying this type of abuse a complex process. Despite its invisibility, the impact can be profound on both psychological and social levels. For this very reason, it is essential to understand the nature of psychological abuse and to develop clear mechanisms for recognition and intervention.

To do this, we must rely on the relevant literature and legislation in this field. Identifying psychological abuse in the context of suspected child abuse or criminal investigations must be based not on personal opinions or impressions (such as “it seems to me that this child is being psychologically abused”), but on credible sources and current legislation in the field.

For example, Law 272/2004, as amended in 2024, defines to some extent the concept of “psychological abuse of a child”: “Chapter VI: Protection of the Child Against Abuse, Neglect, Exploitation, and All Forms of Violence. Art. 89. (1) The child has the right to be protected against abuse, neglect, exploitation, trafficking, illegal migration, abduction, violence, internet pornography, as well as any form of violence, regardless of the environment in which the child is located: family, educational, medical, and child protection institutions; criminal investigation and rehabilitation/detention facilities; the internet; the media; workplaces; sports settings; the community; etc. (…) Chapter VI. Section 3: Protection of Children Against Abuse or Neglect. Art. 94 (1) Child abuse is defined as any intentional act by a person who is in a relationship of responsibility, trust, or authority toward the child, through which the child’s life, physical, mental, spiritual, moral, or social development, bodily integrity, or physical or mental health is endangered, and is classified as physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, and economic abuse.”

Although expressions such as “endangering the child’s life, physical, mental, spiritual, moral, or social development, bodily integrity, or physical or mental health” may be subject to debate regarding their exact understanding and conceptualization, they nevertheless provide us with some reference points for correctly identifying the phenomenon of psychological child abuse.

Furthermore, another reference source we can use to correctly identify and understand “psychological abuse of children” is the DSM-V-TR (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition, Text Revision, American Psychiatric Association, 2022): “Psychological child abuse: a non-accidental verbal or symbolic act by a parent or caregiver that results in or has a reasonable potential to result in significant psychological harm to the child (Physical and sexual abusive behaviors are not included in this category). Examples of psychological abuse of a child include: scolding the child, criticizing, belittling, or humiliating the child; threatening the child; harming or abandoning the child, or indicating to the child that the abuser will harm or abandon people or things that are significant to the child; restraining the child (by tying the child’s hands and feet together or tying the child to furniture or another object, or confining the child in a small, enclosed space (for example, a closet); using the child as a scapegoat; forcing the child to harm themselves; excessive discipline of the child (for example, with extremely high frequency or duration, even if it does not amount to physical abuse), through physical or non-physical methods” (pp. 1089–1090).

Furthermore, in the specialized literature, psychological abuse of children has been theorized by various authors. Among the best-known theories and authors are: D. Glaser’s model—which identifies five forms in which psychological abuse can manifest; the typology by Hart & Brassard; the typology by Garbarino and colleagues; the classification system by Brassard & Donovan; etc.

Thus, through a careful study of both current legislation and the theoretical frameworks in the specialized literature, as well as clinical observations, it is possible to arrive at a concrete understanding of how psychological abuse of children manifests itself, which can have a positive impact on how criminal investigations are conducted, as well as on the manner in which courts render their decisions.

Bibliography:

Law 272/2004 (updated 2024) on the Protection and Promotion of Children’s Rights

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition, Revised Text, American Psychiatric Association, 2022

Article written by Patricia Aramă, clinical psychologist and expert psychologist specializing in the assessment and forensic psychological evaluation of children