Stages of Child Development for Abused Children
Children move through a generally recognized set of stages of social and emotional development as they grow up. Psychiatrist Erik Erikson puts forth a pattern of development that takes children through learning stages focused on trust, autonomy, cooperation and imagination, self-discipline, and identity. At any of these stages, abuse can derail a child's emotional and social development.
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Child Abuse in the Stage of Hope
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The stage of hope, which lasts from birth to approximately two years of age, is the developmental stage in which the child should learn trust. If a child is badly treated during this time, he will become distrustful and insecure. Infants and toddlers who learn slowly, who have uneven sleeping and eating patterns, and who are handicapped are more likely to be abused. The most common pattern of child abuse with infants involves Shaken Baby Syndrome, in which vigorous shaking causes the brain to bounce against the skull, causing brain damage and even death.
Abuse in the Stage of Will
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The Erikson stage of will lasts from approximately two to four years of age. During this time, the child should learn autonomy and should be proud of himself, rather than ashamed. Children who are abused during this stage show deep guilt, which can leave the child almost paralyzed when it comes to making moral choices. Abused children at this stage also often show developmental delays in the areas of language and motor processing, delays which can unfortunately provoke even more abuse by their caregivers. Abused children also tend to act out toward their peers with anger and aggression.
Child Abuse in the Stage of Purpose
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In the stage of purpose, which lasts from approximately four until entering school, the child should learn cooperation, imagination and leadership. Abused children tend to show fear instead. They over-rely on adults and do not mix with their peers, and show limited imagination in play. They may have sleep disturbances, impaired concentration, and inappropriate sexual aggression.
Abuse in the Stage of Competence
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In the stage of competence, which lasts until about middle school, the child should learn self-discipline, which expresses itself healthily in doing homework, playing games by the rules, and learning established social rules of conduct. Abused children at this stage tend to be easily distracted, overactive, and aggressive. They are likely to be rejected by their peers, and have difficulty forming trusting relationships. They develop a great sense of inferiority and may repress their feelings.
Abuse in the Stage of Identity
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Erikson's stage of identity runs through adolescence, and is occupied with children seeking to learn who they are as individuals, to establish their unique identity. Abuse during this stage can manifest itself in depression, even suicidal depression; social isolation; problems with drugs, alcohol and sex; and problems at school. Some such children are frequently truant from school or run away from home. They are more likely to show signs of delinquency and be in trouble with the law.
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