Verbal abuse in childhood can have just as profound and long-lasting an impact on mental health as physical abuse, according to a new study. Researchers from Liverpool John Moores University, in collaboration with Bangor University and Public Health Wales, analyzed data from over 20,000 adults in England and Wales, revealing alarming findings about the psychological consequences of early-life maltreatment.
Emotional Scars of Harsh Words
The study revealed that individuals exposed to demeaning or hostile language during their early years were more likely to suffer from emotional disconnection, pessimism, low self-worth, and psychological distress in adulthood. Compared to those with no history of abuse, adults who experienced:
- Physical abuse had a 52% higher chance of low mental wellbeing.
- Verbal abuse had a 64% higher chance.
- Exposure to both types of abuse led to a staggering 115% increased risk.
While harmful speech appeared to have a slightly greater impact than physical violence, the difference was not statistically significant—indicating that both experiences can inflict serious mental health damage.
A Growing Concern
Professor Mark Bellis, lead author of the study and Director of Research and Innovation at Liverpool John Moores University, emphasized: “Our research shows that verbal abuse in childhood may inflict mental health scars as deep and enduring as those caused by physical abuse. Important progress has been made in reducing physical harm, but psychological mistreatment is often overlooked.”
Alarmingly, this form of abuse is rising—from 12% among those born before 1950 to 20% among children born after 2000—while physical abuse has decreased. This trend, according to the study published in BMJ Open, threatens to erode gains made in child protection and mental wellbeing.
Long-Term Psychological Effects
Experiencing critical, humiliating, or hostile language in childhood can deeply affect a child’s developing sense of self. Long-term exposure may lead to:
- Depression and anxiety
- PTSD symptoms
- Low self-confidence
- Difficulty forming healthy relationships
- Elevated risk of suicidal ideation
Although not always visible, these emotional wounds often leave lasting imprints on a person’s psychological health well into adulthood.
Call to Action: “Words Matter”
Jessica Bondy, founder of Words Matter, an organization campaigning to end verbal abuse, said: “This study confirms what survivors and professionals have long known: words can wound deeply and have a lasting impact on a child’s mental health and development. Too many adults are using harsh language without understanding the psychological damage it causes.”
She called for widespread awareness campaigns, parent education, and mental health support programs to reverse this growing trend. “We must act now to challenge the harm caused by cruel, controlling, or belittling language. The mental health of the next generation depends on it.”
Why Verbal Abuse Is Often Overlooked
One of the main reasons verbal abuse is under-acknowledged is because it leaves no visible scars. Unlike physical abuse, which often prompts legal or medical intervention, emotional mistreatment can remain hidden behind closed doors. Many adults and caregivers fail to recognize that persistent insults, shouting, or humiliation are not simply “discipline” or “tough love”—they are forms of abuse that can deeply impair a child’s development.
Moreover, societal norms often normalize harsh language or emotional control as parenting strategies, especially in high-stress households. This normalization can make it difficult for children to even recognize they are being abused, and as adults, they may struggle to validate their experiences.
The Science Behind the Psychological Damage
Neurological research supports the idea that chronic exposure to verbal abuse during early childhood can alter brain development. Repeated emotional stress affects the limbic system—the part of the brain responsible for emotion regulation and memory. Over time, this may:
- Increase cortisol levels, which are linked to chronic anxiety and stress
- Disrupt healthy emotional bonding and trust formation
- Affect executive functioning, impacting attention, memory, and decision-making
Children exposed to prolonged emotional harm often grow up hypervigilant, emotionally withdrawn, or overly dependent on external validation—patterns that can persist into adulthood if left unaddressed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is considered verbal abuse in childhood?
A: It includes yelling, name-calling, belittling, shaming, constant criticism, threats, and using language meant to humiliate or control a child.
Q2: How does verbal abuse affect mental health?
A: It can lead to depression, anxiety, PTSD, low self-esteem, and difficulty forming relationships—often continuing into adulthood.
Q3: Is verbal abuse as harmful as physical abuse?
A: Yes. Research shows that verbal abuse can be equally, if not more, damaging to long-term mental health than physical violence.
Q4: How common is verbal abuse among children?
A: Approximately one in three children experience this form of abuse, often at the hands of caregivers or family members.
Q5: How can it be prevented?
A: Prevention involves raising awareness, promoting positive parenting, training caregivers in emotional regulation, and offering early intervention support.
