Child Abuse and Neglect: A Case Study Plan

The incidences of child abuse and neglect have been associated with detrimental developmental impacts on the mental psychological and the cognitive well-being of the child. In the selected case study, we see that the abusive malpractices exhibited by Sharon on her children Jasmine, Jack and Amber have resulted in considerable detrimental outcomes of isolation, lack of self-confidence and a loss of positivity for the future. The following report aims to associate various theories with the treatment of the case study such as: psychoanalytic theory, intergenerational transmission theory, attachment theory, environmental theory, cognitive behavioral therapy and social learning theories.

Running head: TERTIARY CASE STUDY PLAN
TERTIARY CASE STUDY PLAN
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Executive Summary
The incidences of child abuse and neglect have been associated with detrimental developmental
impacts on the mental psychological and the cognitive well-being of the child. In the selected
case study, we see that the abusive malpractices exhibited by Sharon on her children Jasmine,
Jack and Amber have resulted in considerable detrimental outcomes of isolation, lack of self-
confidence and a loss of positivity for the future. The following report aims to associate various
theories with the treatment of the case study such as: psychoanalytic theory, intergenerational
transmission theory, attachment theory, environmental theory, cognitive behavioral therapy and
social learning theories. Lastly, the report concludes with due consideration of the ethical issues
pertaining to the parental custody of the concerned children.

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Table of Contents
Introduction..........................................................................................................................3
Discussion............................................................................................................................3
Theories and Approaches................................................................................................3
Critical Analysis of Theories and Approaches................................................................5
Approaches for each case study character.......................................................................7
Jasmine........................................................................................................................7
Jack..............................................................................................................................8
Amber..........................................................................................................................8
Concluding statement..........................................................................................................9
Future recommendations...............................................................................................10
References..........................................................................................................................11

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Introduction
The psychological implications of childhood abuse and parental neglect, have been
associated since with a detrimental impact on not only the psychological and cognitive
functioning of the child, but also upon the perception of the existing relationships in the life of
the concerned subject. The causative factors of childhood abuse and neglect are often deep-
rooted, resulting in the inclusion of a variety of aspects. These include an interplay of incidents
such as prevalence of mental illnesses amongst the concerned parents, the occurrences of
strained familial relationships resulting in conflict and the presence of mistreatment or abuse
from a caregiver (Diaz & Peterson, 2014).
Despite the abundant information concerning the detrimental impact of neglect and abuse
on the life of the concerned children, there still lies a lack of appropriate research concerning
associated theories and treatment approaches (Widom, Czaja & Dutton, 2014). The following
paragraphs of this research aim to highlight on the case study of Jasmine, Jack and Amber, who
have been potential victims of child abuse and neglect due to their motherly neglect. The
subsequent paragraphs also aim to highlight the key theories which have indentified concerning
child abuse and neglect along with associating them to the present case study of the children,
followed by appropriate treatment plans and future recommendations.
Discussion
Theories and Approaches
There seems to be a lack of sufficient research pertaining to the theoretical construction
behind the underlying causes of child abuse. However for the deliverance of optimum treatment

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care processes for the concerned children in this case study, there is a need to highlight the cause
and effect relationship of parental misconduct and detrimental psychological impact, for which
theoretical understanding is of utmost importance (Godbout et al., 2014). Hence, considering the
given case study of childhood abuse and neglect, the following theories have been considered.
The primary theory which can be considered here is the ‘psychoanalytic theory’. In
accordance to this theory, the occurrence of frequent child abusive and neglecting practices lie in
the mental abnormalities of the concerned parent. Hence a family member exhibiting psychotic
or psychopathological symptoms can further lead to the exhibition of abuse and mistreatment to
the concerned children (Liotti, 2016).
An additional theory which can be considered in the concerned case study of child abuse
and neglect is the ‘environmental theory’. Hence, when the concerned family is overcome with
stressful and traumatic life situations in the form of failed or abusive relationships, financial
crisis or prevalence of social violence, the respective parents are often unable to adequate care or
nurture their child, resulting in abusive treatment upon being burdened with the above added
stressful situations (Landrigan, 2016).
The next theory which can be utilized for the explanation and management of this case
study, is the ‘Intergenerational Transmission Theory. According to this theory, presence of
childhood trauma pertaining to the experience or observation of violent, abusive relationships
can lead to the involvement of the concerned patient in future acts of violence in his or her
familial or spousal relationships. The association of such a theory is highly prevalent in women
who often encounter Intimate Partner Violence, due to the childhood experience of previous
familial or parental violent relationships (Widom, Czaja & DuMont, 2015).

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The final theoretical approach which will be taken in to consideration is the ‘Attachment
theory’. The foundational principles of this theory is based upon the presence of a positive
affectionate and nurturing bond between the infant and the mother, resulting in the development
of future feelings of confidence, adequate competency, emotional soundness and positive self-
esteem throughout the growing stages. Hence, the prevalence of childhood abuse due to strained
relationships between the mother and the infant, often result in the child growing up to exhibit
feelings of lack of worth and self-esteem, social isolation, threat and detachment in the upcoming
future years (Kinniburgh et al., 2017).
Critical Analysis of Theories and Approaches
The psychoanalytic theory states that the parents exhibit abusive behaviors to their
respective children, when they themselves are suffering from significantly detrimental
psychological conditions (Levey et al., 2017). In the case study, we see that the mother of the
concerned children, Sharon, is frequently afflicted with the negative behavioral and
psychological implications of excessive drug abuse. She also seems to exhibit considerable
psychotic symptoms of mistrust, aggression, violence and social isolation. The prevalence of
such behaviors have not only resulted in considerable neglect to her children, but also in their
mistreatment, as highlighted from the noises heard from the children’s room, by the concerned
social workers upon inspection.
The principles of environmental theory, imply that the presence of several coordinating
negative factors such as strained familial or spousal relationships, lack of economic privileges
and violent societal behavior, often compromise on the respective parent’s ability to adequately
care for their children, further resulting in their abuse and neglect (Van der Kolk, 2017). Hence,
from the above case study, the mother Sharon seemed to experience traumatic relationships with

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her ex husband, further resulting in mistrust, aggression and the associated mistreatment of her
children.
The additional theory which has been utilized in the selected case study is the
‘Intergenerational Transmission Theory’. According to the principles of the intergenerational
transmission theory, the prevalence of childhood abusive relationships between the children and
their parents further result in the development of future violent relationships of the growing
individual with other associated relationships (Buss et al., 2017). Hence, concerning the case
study, Sharon can be observed to exhibit an abusive relationship with her former partner, which
may have been a result of abusive familial relationships in the past, further resulting in the
prevalence of abusive behaviors towards her children. Hence, this theory can be associated with
the possible future of the Sharon’s children, who may grow up to exhibit abusive relationships
towards their future associated relationships.
The final theory holding considerable significance in the case study of Jasmine, Jack and
Amber, is the ‘Attachment Theory’, which signifies the role of a positive nurturing bond between
the mother and her infant, in the development of future positive feelings of confidence and worth
(Pilhofer et al., 2015). Despite the lack of evidence concerning the relationship Sharon shared
with her mother, this theory can provide useful insights into the behavior exhibited by Amber. A
abusive parent-child relationship has been associated with feelings of mistrust and isolation in
accordance to the theory, which Amber has already begun to portray towards her elder sister
Jasmine.

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Approaches for each case study character
Jasmine
Being the eldest child, jasmine seemed to exhibit considerable awareness and maturity
concerning understanding of the critical situation of her mother’s abusive behaviors resulting in
neglect. For helping Jasmine to live a healthy and fulfilling life, we must consider the
psychoanalytic theory, environmental theory and the intergenerational transmission theory. In
accordance to the transcripts, despite possessing awareness concerning how abusive her mother
was, Jasmine clearly perceives the lack of a decent future where she feels she will end up
behaving like Sharon towards her children or relationships. The psychoanalytical theory is
clearly in conjunction here, where parental misconducts often aggravate the future occurrences
of abusive behavior (Schiek-Gamble & Hurvich, 2015). Similar theoretical outlines are presented
by the intergenerational transmission theory, where women are likely to engage in abusive
partner relationships due to an abusive childhood. As evident from Jasmine’s statements, it is
likely that without appropriate treatment, she may also end up being like her mother. Considering
the same, the residential care managers can utilize therapeutic intervention strategies such as
cognitive behavioral theory, which aims to dissociate the occurrences of harmful behavior as a
response to certain stimuli. Hence, such a treatment may have Jasmine to prevent the possible
future occurrences of abusive behavior upon perception of stimuli related to her past experiences.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy has also been associated to correct self-demeaning thoughts
concerning one and hence, can be helpful for Jasmine in response to her future familial concerns
(Silk et al., 2018). It can also be noted in the transcript, that Jasmine dislikes the environment of
her residential care home, comparing it to a ‘prison’. The environmental theory of child abuse
states that the prevalence of inappropriate or uncomfortable environmental factors often results

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in future development of child abuse. Hence, the residential care workers must consider this
phenomenon along with the Jasmine’s confessions and past history and provide an environment
outlining relaxation and skills training, along with generating awareness concerning the negative
effects of child abuse, resulting in her positive, holistic treatment (Lewis et al., 2015).
Jack
From the provided transcripts, despite the absence of comments from Jack, it can be
outlined from Jasmine’s comments that there continues to be an affectionate relationship
between the two. Considering this, the above theoretical and treatment approaches which have
been used for Jasmine, can also be utilized for Jack simultaneously. The additional theoretical
approach which can be considered here is the ‘Social Learning Theory’. In accordance to this
theory of behavior and learning, the usage of effective social settings and social interactions
prove to result in positive learning implications and knowledge retention for a child, due to the
prevalence of imitation and observation (Kennedy et al., 2016). Hence, upon observing the
treatment given to Jasmine, it can be assumed that Jack will also positively benefit from the
process, due to the close proximity maintained with his sister. However, it is observed that
Jasmine immediately intervenes when Jack attempts to talk about his mother. However,
gradually sharing and exposing the victim to the detrimental impacts of child abuse through
empathetic encouragement, has been implicated as a positive recommendation strategy of
treatment and hence, Jack must be encouraged to do the same by the residential care workers
(Ford, 2017).
Amber
The theoretical approach which is most relevant in the situation of the youngest child,
Amber, is the ‘attachment theory’. According to this theory, the presence of an affectionate,

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loving and nurturing bind between the mother and her infant, results in positive developmental
changes where as an absence of the same, results in feelings of isolation, mistrust, depression and
decreased self-esteem (Cantón-Cortés, Cortés & Cantón 2015). Amber experienced considerable
abusive behavior at a very young age, hence resulting in her lack of consideration for her siblings
or biological parents. As stated in the above theory, Amber hence exhibits a positive and
supportive relationship with her foster caregivers. Hence, despite the legal advantages possessed
by her biological parents, the workers associated with Amber’s care must consider this
theoretical approach and allow her foster parents to take custody of her. The positive relationship
between her foster parents and Amber have resulted in her well being and hence, returning to her
biological parents, may cause a relapse of dysfunctional symptoms, as stated by the ‘Attachment
Theory’.
Concluding statement
Hence, it can be concluded that despite the negative health implications, the consideration
of the above theoretical approaches will be highly beneficial for the treatment of Jasmine, Jack
and Amber. For understanding the causative factors behind the abusive behavior exhibited by
their mother Sharon, along with the potential future implications upon the development of the
personalities of Jasmine, Jack and Amber, various theoretical approaches have been considered.
These include the psychoanalytic theory, the intergenerational transmission theory, the
environmental theory and the attachment theory. Hence, for future treatment, the residential care
workers must aim to dissociate the possibilities of Jasmine exhibiting behaviors like her mother,
through usage of cognitive behavioral theory, since the above mentioned theories greatly
highlight a positive correlation between child abuse and future abusive relationships. The same

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can be applied for Jack who will learn from her sister, according to social learning theories and
must also be recommended to talk about his mother as a potential treatment strategy.
Future recommendations
However, for the treatment and care of Amber, the attachment theory must be considered
here since a positive relationship with her foster caregivers have resulted in her betterment. The
social workers must remember that sending the abused victim to the legal parents without
consent is also a form of abuse. Further, undertaking adoptive measures have been considered to
yield least detrimental impacts on child abuse victims (Kohrt et al., 2015), which is why Amber’s
foster parents must be allowed to gain her custody. Further, Amber exhibits considerable
ignorance towards Jasmine, perhaps due to her sister’s association with past memories, as stated
in the attachment theory. Considering Jasmine’s concern, the social workers might also engage
Amber with cognitive behavioral therapy in order to reduce her symptoms of mistrust and result
in reconciliation with her sister (Bosmans, 2016).

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