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child abuse

This shows the outline of a sad child, a child looking into the mirror and an ominous adult in the background. There are chains tying the child to the adult.

·August 11, 2025·5 min read

Early Abuse Shapes Adult Sexual Behavior

A new study has found that sexual narcissism mediates the link between childhood trauma and compulsive sexual behavior. Researchers compared individuals with and without compulsive sexual behavior, measuring trauma history, sexual narcissism, and hypersexuality.

This shows a child surrounded by hands and DNA.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·July 21, 2025·6 min read

ADHD-Linked Genes Raise Risk of Childhood Maltreatment

Children with higher genetic risk for ADHD are more likely to experience childhood maltreatment, a new study shows. Researchers found that ADHD-associated genetic variants, especially when combined with parental psychiatric diagnoses, increase the likelihood of abuse and neglect.

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·July 15, 2025·3 min read

Childhood Emotional Trauma Linked to Later Social Distress

A new study reveals that childhood emotional trauma increases social avoidance and distress in adolescents, but resilience can help mitigate these effects. Surveying 577 junior high students, researchers found resilience acted as a buffer, enabling traumatized teens to engage more positively with peers.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 11, 2025·6 min read

Spotting Silent Scars: A New Way to Detect Childhood Abuse

Childhood maltreatment leaves profound and often unseen scars, affecting mental health, physical well-being, and social development long into adulthood. Traditional assessments are invasive and often miss the full scope of harm as it happens.

This shows a child sitting under a tree.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·July 10, 2025·6 min read

Child Maltreatment Accelerates Aging and Hinders Social Development

New research shows that childhood maltreatment leaves lasting biological and social scars. In a study of young children, those who experienced abuse showed accelerated cellular aging and reduced social attention.

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·May 11, 2025·5 min read

Verbal Abuse in Childhood Rewires the Developing Brain

New neuroscience research highlights how verbal abuse in childhood can alter brain development and increase the risk of mental health issues later in life. Children who are routinely shamed, threatened, or belittled by adults may develop a hyperactive threat system and a blunted reward response, making trust and emotional regulation more difficult in adulthood.

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·April 26, 2025·4 min read

AI Enhances Detection of Child Abuse Cases

A new study found that artificial intelligence can better identify instances of physical child abuse in emergency rooms compared to traditional diagnostic coding methods. Researchers developed a machine-learning model that more accurately estimated abuse prevalence based on high-risk injuries and physical abuse indicators.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 12, 2025·5 min read

How Childhood Abuse Impacts Parental Empathy

A new study sheds light on how childhood maltreatment can lead to impaired empathy and increased risk of child abuse in adulthood. Researchers found that mothers who experienced abuse as children often struggle with emotional empathy and depressive symptoms, both of which negatively influence parenting.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·March 11, 2025·5 min read

Childhood Abuse Doubles Psychiatric and Health Risks

New research finds that adults who experienced both physical and sexual abuse in childhood are about twice as likely to suffer chronic physical and mental health issues, such as depression, arthritis, asthma, and heart conditions. Even experiencing one type of abuse significantly increased the odds of adverse health outcomes in adulthood.

This shows a child sitting alone on a bench while others play around him.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 9, 2025·7 min read

Physical Neglect Causes Lifelong Social Challenges in Children

A new study highlights how childhood physical neglect disrupts social development more than physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. Neglected children were less social, less popular, and less connected to cohesive friend groups, facing stigmatization and withdrawal.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·January 9, 2025·4 min read

Early Stress Alters Sperm DNA, Impacting Offspring’s Brain Development

Childhood stress may leave lasting marks on sperm, altering epigenetic profiles and potentially influencing brain development in offspring. Researchers found that men with high levels of childhood maltreatment had changes in DNA methylation and non-coding RNA levels in their sperm.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 4, 2024·6 min read

Structural Abnormalities in Brains’ of Mothers Who Abuse Kids

A new study used brain imaging to identify structural brain abnormalities in mothers who commit child abuse. Reduced integrity in the corticospinal tract was linked to impulsivity and movement control issues. These findings highlight the neurobiological factors in child abuse, pointing to potential prevention strategies.