Pathway of Neglect in Early Childhood to Physical and Emotional Abuse in Adolescence Leading to Suicide in Young Adulthood

This study explores the theoretical pathway from neglect in infancy, child abuse in adolescence to suicide in young adulthood. It also discusses current approaches to policy and interventions to prevent child abuse and neglect in Australia.

Case study
The pathway of neglect in early childhood to physical and emotional abuse in adolescence leading to
the undesirable outcome of suicide in young adulthood.
Souliama El-Youssef

WORD COUNT: 2717
Background and aim
Child abuse and neglect is one of Australia's most significant social problems and is increasing at an
alarming rate, causing psychological and life threatening issues such as suicide (Joiner, 2005). The
Australian Bureau of Statistics (2017) showed that physical child abuse is a major issue with children
aged zero to 12 being placed in the care of other families and protection programs. This has doubled
between 2000-2011 and rising from four to eight per 1,000 children in Australia. Furthermore, studies
have shown that children who are exposed to violence or physical child abuse are more likely to
experience a wide range of adverse psychosocial and behavioural outcomes. Such behavioural
outcomes result in 65,000 of the population attempting suicide and 600,000 of the population
contemplating suicide (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2017).
The Department of Health and Human services for children and families (2006) showed that children
are affected by their family environment and almost 900,000 children are classified as maltreated by
parents and other care givers. This coincides with the statistics from the Australian Bureau of statistics
(2017) with the rate of suicide in Australia increasing dramatically over the decade from 2000-2011,
resulting in 2,292 males and 735 female suicide in 2015. Suicide is complex with many diverse
pathways leading to its development and these risk factors include psychosocial, neurobiological and
psycho-pathological factors (Gould, 1998). It is recognised that childhood trauma can lead to suicide
(Beitchman, 1992). potential mediators that influence this behavior include depression, anxiety and
neglect.
Life experiences along with family circumstances- positive or that of negative has an impact on the
vulnerability of the child. It has been found that in the absence of protective factors, risk pertaining to
serious outcome increases. The children who are socially disadvantaged and live within dangerous
neighbourhood have more chances of committing suicide in the young adulthood. Research has
brought out the fact that maltreatment type can be said to be inter-related. A large number of the
young people who have to face childhood abuse have to face more than one kind of abuse. Complex
trauma helps in the reflection of the interacting symptom and it often involves an interpersonal
element. The trauma that is caused owing to child abuse have serious repurcussions on that of the
developing brain. The formative mind of the children becomes badly affected by these experiences
and it can permanently damage their mind. The exposure to chronic trauma can lead to persistent
psychological problem for the children and the adolescent. Child abuse can have an effect on all
domains pertaining to development – physical, emotional along with social. Psychodynamic theory
helps in explaining personality in the lines of conscious along with unconscious forces.

Psychodynamic theories stress on the fact that the experiences pertaining to childhood can help in the
shaping of personality of an individual. The adverse experiences can have a severe impact on the
mind of the children and they become more prone to suicide at the stage of young adulthood.
Current approaches to policy and/or practice and/or interventions.
There are different child protection legislations within Australia and the authorities often intervene
owing to the harm that may be inflicted on the children. The state government of Australia is
responsible for the operation in relation to child protection services. There are different kinds of acts
in Australia like Children and Young People Act 2008, Children and Young Persons Act 1998 and
Child Protection Act 1999 that wants to offer protection to the young children in Australia so that they
do not have to suffer the brunt of child abuse and neglect that can irreparably damage their mental
setup. The children are protected with the help of these Acts so that they do not become prone to
suicide in their later life.
Australia acts as a signatory to that of United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child that
helps in providing guidance to the states. The legislative principles help in the reflection of the service
goals pertaining to the government. The legislation pertaining to Australian jurisdictions includes the
young people in the act of decision making that helps in offering protection to the children. The
legislations play a great role in maintaining the cultural identity of the children and protecting them
from all kinds of abuses in the society. The National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children
was carried out by Council of Australian Government that places the interests of the children at the
centre of legislative development.
According to the Australian Institute of Family Studies (2017) reported that government as well as
non-government organisations have both taken action to fight the child abuse prevalent. They have
provided many policies and interventions for family and child abuse prevention in Australia. A
comprehensive and dedicated governmental efforts from the Australian Institute of Family Studies
(2017) and Commonwealth of Australia (2005) have formed three types of preventions and these
include primary, secondary and tertiary preventions.
The prevention of child abuses and neglect is a complex problem needing a whole set of strategies and
actions to be successful in stopping maltreatment from occurring. As a result, The National Child
Protection Week is promoted by the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect
(2017): for example, the Pete and Penny program which is sponsored by the Medical Benefit Fund

and media campaigns are run by the state government (Australian Institute of Family Studies, 2017).
The basic aim of this primary intervention is to provide awareness and stop abuse before it begins.
Furthermore, the secondary prevention are programs that target specific portion of the population that
are more at risk of abuse and that are in need of greater support. The programs include young parent
support services, isolated single parent services and respite services, including crisis care (National
Child Protection Council Secretariat).
However, as for Tertiary prevention this program/intervention is to help those who have already been
abused. The aim of the tertiary prevention is to prevent abuse from reoccurring and provide
counselling services for victims to overcome the trauma. Such tertiary preventions include Family
Services, help-lines with professionally trained counsellors, and community services that provide
counselling and education for those from abusive families.
Pathways analysis.
The theoretical pathway from neglect in infancy, child abuse in adolescence to suicide in young
adulthood is shown below:
Figure: The theoretical pathway
Source: Created by the Author
According to Erikson (1956) in each developmental stage people face new challenges, and the stage
outcome depends on how people handle the challenge. Erikson believed that during the first stage
infant’s basic needs are met by the parents and this interaction leads to trust or mistrust. To support
this according to the Child Development Institute (2005) it further explained that a child’s first trust is
with the parent or caregiver, and if the parent exposes the child to warmth, regularity and dependable
affection, the infants view of the world will be one of trust. However, if the parents fail to provide a
secure environment and meet the child’s basic needs a sense of mistrust will result. This leads to the
development of mistrust which are feelings of frustration, suspicion, withdrawal and lack of
confidence.
Furthermore, applying this theory to a child that is neglected. Now neglect has no universally
accepted definition (Rosenman & Rogers, 2004). However, neglect is often described as the failure of
Neglect Child abuse
Suicide in
adulthood

the caregiver to provide adequate supervision, emotional nurturance, appropriate medical care, food,
clothing and shelter for a child (Scott, 2012)). As a result, neglect is due to the minimal services
provided by the parents or caregivers, and Erikson believed that it is fundamental during the early
stages of development for the parents or caregivers to meet the basic needs of the infant.
Figure: Child Abuse Victims in Australia
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics., 2017
It has been found with the help of statistics that around 45, 714 Australian children gets abused and
they have to suffer throughout their life for being victims.
As a result, neglect and child abuses is determined by the antagonistic parent-child behaviour and
interaction (Jones, 2014), and this is associated with punching, kicking, biting or otherwise wounding
a child. This is a visible form of child maltreatment, resulting in bruises, broken bones and
psychological damage such as disrupted social-emotional development, poor self-control, social
alienation, immaturity and low self-esteem (Theoklitou, 2012). The consequence of experiencing
child abuses and neglect also affects a child’s cognitive development, therefore they lack changes in
methods of styles of thinking, language ability, language use and lack the ability to form trusting
relationship/friendships (Culp, 1991). Hence, Culp (1991) further stated that their social and problem
solving skills are not fully developed, and this results in the neglected abused child in having poor
interactional skills with others.
Recent studies support this and have proven that an abused preschooler can lead to all sorts of neglect
especially in the schooling environment. It provides evidence that cognitive development is a
fundamental element in a child’s life. But abused children lack this component and come across as

immature and slow learners. Consequently, the distress impact linked to child abuse and neglect can
have long-term detrimental effects to both physical and thoughts of suicide that can carry on into
adolescence and adulthood.
It is shown that abused and neglected preschoolers may develop serious psychological maladjustment,
and this includes the lack of trust, empathy and emotional detachment. This indicates that
maltreatment appeared to have the effect on children’s' understanding of specific emotional displays,
hence by not showing particular emotions this may continue the neglect from others. Frued (1980)
conveyed an attachment theory and described that personality development progresses at a series of
stages. To further support his theoretical explanation, studies revealed that an infant is required to
develop a relationship with one primary parent for social and emotional growth for normal cognitive
development. Furthermore, Freud agreed with this identifying attachment theory as classifying the
relationship with the parent as the main influence on the child's developmental process.
As a result, continuous neglect causes the abused child to more likely exhibit behavioural difficulties,
and severe withdrawal or aggression toward peers (Dubowitz, Papas, Black,& Star; Shonk&Cicchetti,
2001). These maltreated children are generally known as ‘different' in the eyes of others, such as peers
and school teachers since they stand to lack many developmental characteristics. Therefore, they are
withdrawn and considered as loners in their school environment (Hart, 2000).
Child abuse along with neglect can have an impact on the psychological along with behavioural
development pertaining to children. The physical consequence can range from that of minor injuries
to that of brain damage. The psychological consequence can vary from attention problems to that of
brain syndrome. It has been found that a large number of the children who are abused do not reveal
any kind of sign of extreme disturbance. The relation between cause and results of the child
maltreatment can prove to be problematic because there are some factors that helps in the stimulation
of abusive behavior. It has been found that maltreatment occurs on account of different kinds of
problems in the social environment. New research have brought out the fact that the children who
have to face repeated abuse are prone to committing suicide in that of their later life. It can be said
that sexual abuse in childhood is associated with that of suicidality (Cicchetti, Horung and Reed,
2000). It was found that the children who were repeatedly abused were more prone to suicide
attempts. Sexual abuse when carried out by the immediate family member have the greatest impact on
the mental health of the children. The abuse carried out by family members can have impact on
developing of health attachment pattern. Research has brought out the fact that the suicidal adolescent
show certain kind of characteristic temperament. It has been found that the individuals who have
some kind of pressure in their life display negative mood that can have a grave impact on their mind
and may compel them to commit suicide in their later life. The children who have to face childhood
abuse develop anxiety disorders and they face higher risk of suicide. Research has shown that the
individuals who suffer from depression have been victims of some kind of abuse in their life. The

physical abuse that the adolescents have to face in the society does not equip them with the ability to
develop adequate relationships and this severely affects their life at a later stage. They become
emotionally very fragile on account of the emotional disturbance that they have to undergo in life and
become prone to suicide in their life.
Link 2: Child Abuse and Suicide in adolescence.
Menninger expanded on Freud’s theory and identified three concepts of hostility of the suicidal
individual; the wish to be killed (guilt), the wish to kill (revenge), and the wish to die (hopelessness)
(Maeis et al., 2000). These people wish to express their anger and aggression to those they feel
mistreated them. With the end result of wishing to die, due to the unbearable pain they’ve experience
throughout their lives.
Violent behavior can occur with both parents’ and possess the ability to parent their children to a
degree that they are abused. Violence is the most common form of maltreatment, resulting in severe
damage of health and deleterious short and long term effects on cognitive, social-emotional and
behavioural developmental processes (McPherson, 2002). Furthermore, in the 1960s Beck developed
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. According to this theory, how we think (cognitive), how we feel
(emotion) and how we act (behavior) are all linked together (Martin, 2017). As a result, negative and
unrealistic thoughts cause distress and result in undesirable outcome. Freud expressed that individuals
whom experience a traumatic event in early childhood or adolescence may reenact that experience in
adulthood. For instance, if a person witnesses abuse or there is history of suicide in the family this
behavior may be reenacted due to traumatic experiences. Therefore, the distress a person experiences
at these times can distort there thinking, so it becomes difficult to see possible solutions to problems
and this leads to thoughts of hopelessness and the belief that they can only escape through suicide.
Additionally, developmental processes are fundamental in a child's growth as they learn how to
control their anxieties and issues, problem solving, independence, and social competence. Hence,
unstable and abusive relationships increase the risk of being neglected. To further support this, a child
who is directly exposed to abuse is potentially damaging (Radford and Hester, 2006). Therefore,
lacking in social and emotional skills, and the development of their cognition as well. However,
according to Freud’s psychoanalytical theory (1972) illustrates that social, emotional play and fantasy
is strongly recommended for consistent development. Hence, play gives children the opportunity to
gain mastery over their anxieties and conflicts, by allowing them to metaphorically reposition social
situations so they feel that they are in control. But, if children are not given the opportunity to perform

social, emotional and fantasy play this effects their development, risking them to become less in
control and more exposed to conflicts and anxieties.
Furthermore, it was revealed that an individual’s biopsychological weaknesses have effect and may
create suicidal thoughts and Beck (1976) described this as ‘suicide mode’. Beck further reported that
once this mode has begun, then the suicide mode is activated by cognitive, affective, motivational,
and behavioural systems. As a result, the occurrence of suicidal thoughts and how severe it is can
increase more and more over time. Additionally, Cicchetti (2001) speculated that abused preschoolers
develop psychological maladjustment in and this includes lack of trust, empathy and emotional
detachment. They are also likely to become aggressive and have severe withdrawal issues.
It has been brought out with the help of research that sexual abuse can bring about changes within
stress response of the brain that can increase risk pertaining to suicidal thoughts along with behavior.
It has been found that in the event of sexual abuse being perpetrated on the victim the victim loses the
sense of self-esteem. The researchers have explained that the feeling of being shameful often propels
the adolescent towards an act of self-destructiveness. The victims of sexual abuse experiences feelings
of guilt along with self-blame. It has been found that in the event of victim incorporating
responsibility in relation to the Act the individual develops a tendency of blaming the self. The factor
of self-blame motivates self-destructiveness and the victims of sexual abuse have a deep desire and
they want to punish themselves. The child gets a sense of powerlessness when he becomes the victim
of sexual abuse in the event of the body space of the children being invaded. The suicide attempt acts
as a cry of help who do not find any means of communicating psychological pain.
Summary of pathways analysis
In summary, there has been an abundant amount of research supporting the link between neglect, and
child abuse in adolescence leading to suicide in adulthood. The empirical evidence above identifies
that if a child is psychologically damaged and lack the basic needs of development in early childhood
it could further reach undesirable outcomes of anxiety, suicide and other detrimental behavioural
distresses. The theories and literature portrayed a clear background on how each childhood experience
can lead to an undesirable outcome in adulthood
.
Suggestions for intervention and/or policy changes
In Australia there are many government and non-governmental associations that provide policies and
interventions for child protection. It is fundamental to educate these children, so they identity what
behaviours are acceptable and learn ways to avoid negative behaviours in order to strengthen,
stabilise, improve their well-being and enhance their child development. Additionally, more focus
should remain on suicide, child abuse and neglect. As a result, to help the general public become more
aware of these social issues by advertising campaigns and raise awareness through the media such as

television, billboards, and radio stations. Furthermore, it is suggested that parents, doctors, teachers,
nurses that deal one onto one with children should be educated to learn how to detect early signs of
abuse and neglect at early stages to avoid further deterioration in the child’s life.
The National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2009-2020 was formulated by Council
of Australian government and it places importance on the interests of the children. It lays forward a
co-operative document that helps in providing a national agenda in the manner in which Australia
manages that of child protection issue. This framework wants to solve the differences that persist
within the state jurisdiction.
Australia should be able to see the issue of protecting children from that of abuse to the promotion of
safety of the children. It can however be suggested that application of a public health model can help
in the process of delivering better outcome for the children. Priority should be placed on universal
support in relation to the families. Intensive prevention intervention should be provided to the families
that can help in providing additional assistance. The protection pertaining to children should be more
than that of statutory child protection service and this can help in offering protection to the children
from all kinds of abuses.
Conclusion
It can hence be concluded that neglect at the stage of early childhood and emotional abuse perpetrated
on the adolescent can pave the way for suicide at the stage of adulthood. Australia is a signatory to
that of United Nations Convention that can provide useful guidance to the states. Children belonging
to the socially disadvantaged class have greater chances of committing suicide at the stage of early
adulthood. The Council of the Australian Government was responsible for making the National
Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children. A public health model can be applied that can help in
the process of delivering better outcome in relation to the children. Child abuse and neglect are
common problems worldwide and lead to suicide in adulthood, but there are many chances in a
child’s early life to defeat or reduce its detrimental effects by speaking up, as a result more programs
need to be put into place to help children speak up. But, they find difficulty and do not know what to
do. Hence, this case study has provided an abundant amount of literature and theories on how early
childhood events can lead to undesirable outcomes in adolescence, which further deteriorates in
adulthood. Therefore, it is important to re duce the rate of child abuse and neglect at its early stages to
avoid suicide in adolescence and adulthood. Further research should be conducted in order to help
decrease the rate of child abuse, neglect and suicide.

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Section Mark
Background & Aim
Succinct overview of topic,
describing scope of the problem
and statement of the purpose of the
report
8 /10
Pathway Analysis

Clear description of each stage in
the pathway 4 /5
Logical justification of links
between stages 2.5 /5
Critical use of relevant theory and
empirical literature 3.5 /5
Current policy, practice,
interventions
Review of current policy/practice
or interventions 2.5 /5
Evaluation of current
policy/practice in light of your
pathways analysis
1 /5
Suggestions for improving
policy/practice in light of your
pathways analysis
1 /5
Conclusion
Summarise the important aspects
of the report, linking the major
components
3 /5
Presentation
Structure and flow 0.8 /1
Spelling and grammar 0.7 /1
Clarity of expression 0.7 /1
Referencing 1 /2
TOTAL 28.7 /50
Penalty (late + word count) %
Final Percentage Grade 57.4 %