Verbal aggression by parent and psychosocial problems of children

Abstract

Child abuse cases in Malaysia are reported to be rise year by year. The number of reported cases for emotional or psychological abuse may not be seen as significant like other types of abuse since emotional or psychological abuse did not shows any marks compared to physical abuse which can be seen through the bruises, broken bone or any wound as a clues that the child is suffering. Emotional or psychological abuse is a sustained pattern of verbal abuse, and as there is little visible evidence of psychological or emotional suffering, children who experience verbal abuse may never be recognized as victims. Child abuse reports have found many form of verbal aggression. Verbal aggression was independent and it was associated with children's psychosocial problem. Psychological aggression is more detrimental to children compared to physical aggression. The present study aim to gather information on verbal aggression experienced by Malay children, and to examine the relationship between verbal aggressions and the children psychological and social problems.