Annotated Bibliography

Child Abuse

Briere, John N. (1992). Long Term Impacts of Child Abuse I: Psychological Response. Child Abuse

Trauma: Theory and Treatment of Lasting Effects (pp. 19-47). United States: Sage Publications,

Inc.

In chapter 2 of this book the author describes that victims of abuse whether it be

physical, mental, or sexual will most likely have long term effects affecting them

psychologically and most likely won’t have a good mental health. In the chapter it states

“The posttraumatic symptoms of physical abuse survivors appear to involve more

autonomic arousal, avoidance of abuse-related thoughts of being violent or of suddenly

being injured…” This supports my argument because victims of child abuse tend to avoid

situations that remind them of their unfortunate experience. These victims avoid these

stimuli they tend to have flashbacks and remind of the pain they carry with them.

Jones, Betty J. (2007). Chapter 1. Child Abuse: The Effects on Children (pp. 1-12). Indiana,

Bloomington: Author House.

The author gives a clear strong argument of the effects on children after the experience

of abuse. She states that the abuse affects children severely in later development such

as in the teenage years where the victim is in a stage of increased mental activity. “A

child who is abused frequently and severely at an early age, may be likely to exhibit

these low profile behavior characteristics, may be overly compliant to avoid

 confrontation, lacking in curiosity, fearful of physical contact, excessively self-controlled,

cries very little, enjoys little or nothing or may appear autistic.” Not only do victims of

child abuse experience posttraumatic psychological effects but also social effects.

Victims of child abuse don’t develop social skills as well as those who haven’t

experienced abuse. Every victim has different social effects from the abuse. Some may

tend to stay away from people while others may be abusive themselves who must be in

a position of power to get a feeling of satisfaction.

Bennett, Wayne W. & Hess, Karen M. (2007). Crimes Against Children and Youths. Criminal

Investigation (pp. 316-351). California, Belmont: Thomson Wadsworth.

The authors state that victims of child abuse when are more prone to become

violent or become involved in criminal activity. The victims can also start a cycle of child

abuse. The victims themselves become the abusers. “Research shows that a child’s

history of physical abuse predisposes that child to violence in later years. Victims of

neglect are also likely to engage violent criminal behavior.” This statement supports my

views because it gives evidence that there have been some situations where former

victims of child abuse become violent or participate in criminal activity. The experience

changes their way of thought. They decide to become violent because it gives them

power, the power they did not possess when the abuse occurred.

Thomas, Amanda (2000). Nonaccidental Injury to Children. A Physician's Guide to Clinical

Forensic Medicine (pp. 117-120). New Jersey, Totowa: Human Press Inc.
 The author defines what child abuse with examples from legal Acts. With the research

study by Gibbons of 170 children who went through child abuse supports that argument

that these experiences have long terms effects on the victim. “abused children…were

more likely to show behavior problems at home and at school, had greater difficulties

with friendships and scored lower on certain cognitive tests.” This supports my

argument because it provides evidence that victims of child abuse that many effects

after the experience. Each victim has a unique set of effects from their childhood

experience; some have difficulty in cognitive processes others in psychological stability.

But it seems that they have one thing in common, the victims have difficulty when it

comes to social situations as stated in the chapter.

Becker-Weidman, Arthur (2005). Child Abuse and Neglect: Effects on Child Development, Brain

Development, and Interpersonal Relationship. Retrieved from

http://www.adoptionarticlesdirectory.com/Article/Child-Abuse-and-Neglect--Effects-on-child-

development--brain-development--and-interpersonal-relationships/42

The author describes the development of the brain of a child that has gone through

abuse. The brain of a child that has experienced abuse doesn’t function as properly as

that of a mentally healthy child. “Abused and neglected children have smaller corpus

callosum than non-abused children. Abused and neglected children have poorly

integrated cerebral hemispheres.” The author explains that the brain of an abused child

doesn’t develop proper emotional responses as that of a healthy child. The right and left

hemispheres of the abused child aren’t or are poorly connected which causes all the
 difficulty into regulating emotion. This adds more support to my argument because it

provides biological evidence that abused children have negative effects from the

experience.

Sturt, Stanley M. (2006). Child Abuse New Research. New York: Nova Science Publishers, Inc.

The author gives a wide variety of explanations of child abuse affects its victims

biologically. From brain development to physical behavior the author explains how every type

of child abuse affects the victims’ biological homeostasis. This entire book supports my

argument because it provides evidence that victims of child abuse are not only affected socially

and mentally but biologically. Their physical health is tied in to that of their emotional and

mental health. Victims function according to their emotional state such as if they feel depressed

or anti-social they are also affected physically. Not only did the abuse cause them emotional

damage but physical pain as well.