About Child Abuse

Outcomes of individual cases of child abuse vary widely and are affected by a combination of factors, including:

  • The child's age and developmental status when the abuse or neglect occurred
  • The type of abuse (physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, etc.)
  • Frequency, duration, and severity of abuse
  • The relationship between the victim and his or her abuser (Chalk, Gibbons, & Scarupa, 2002).


The ability to cope, and even thrive, following a negative experience is sometimes referred to as "resilience." A number of protective factors may contribute to an abused or neglected child's resilience. These include individual characteristics, such as self-esteem, intelligence, creativity, humor, and independence. Protective factors can also include the family or social environment, such as a child's access to social support; in particular, a caring adult in the child's life can be an important protective factor. Community well-being, including neighborhood stability and access to health care, is also a protective factor (Thomlison, 1997).