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Characteristics of Abusive Adults
Adults who abuse a child/ children will often share several of the following characteristics.
Substance Abuse: Studies have shown a direct relationship between drugs and/or alcohol and the occurrence of abuse.
History of Abuse as a Child: Children learn from adults. A child who is raised in a home where violence is used to solve problems will likely react in the same way.
Isolation: The adult lacks the physical and emotional support they need from friends, family and their community. He or she will rarely participate in activities.
Poor self-concept: The adult sees himself or herself as worthless, bad or unlovable.
Immaturity: The adult can be easily irritated and overwhelmed by everyday problems.
Lack of parenting skills: The adult does not understand a child’s needs and often feels the child is being disobedient when he or she is not able to meet the adults expectation.
Unmet emotional needs: The adult has difficulty showing warmth, love and support and are unable to provide the child with these feelings.
Abusive Adults may
- be rigid
- be mean
- be easily angered
- be demanding
- be irrational
- be incapable of child rearing
- believe in the need for harsh physical discipline
- react to the child with impatience or annoyance
- not show affection/ concern towards the child
- crave power
- have mental health problems