Child abuse and domestic violence: Child abuse and domestic violence have been the focus and a collective effort composed from decades of research and science based studies.

Exposure to violence and abuse can be considered a form of “toxic stress.” This can interfere with early brain development, and can also lead to other negative short- and long-term consequences for children. 

Violence between adult partners in the family is associated with a loss of parent-child closeness and increased child neglect (Nicklas & Mackenzie, 2013). This decrease in family members’ ability to nurture their children can negatively impact children’s behavior and health. This experience of neglect is explained at The Science of Neglect.   

​

Preventing Abuse and Neglect

​

Research suggests that safe, stable, nurturing relationships between parents and other adults, in addition to those positive relationships between parents and their children, may help prevent child maltreatment from one generation to the next.

​

The major reasons for physical and psychological maltreatment of children within the family often are parental feelings of isolation, stress, and frustration. Parents need support and as much information as possible in order to raise their children responsibly. They need to be taught how to cope with their own feelings of frustration and anger without venting them on children. They also need the companionship of other adults who will listen and help during times of crisis.

​

Neuroscience and psychology points to a set of underlying core capabilities that adults use to manage life, work, and parenting effectively. These include, but are not limited to, planning, focus, self-control, awareness, and flexibility. To scientists, these capabilities fall under the umbrella of “self-regulation,” which is built upon a foundation of “executive function.” Self-regulation is the set of capabilities that help us to draw upon the right skills at the right time, manage our responses to the world, and resist inappropriate responses.