Child Development According to Mcgrath (2003), \"In

Child Development

According to McGrath (2003), "In almost every case of significant adult depression, some form of abuse was experienced in childhood, either physical, sexual, emotional or, often, a combination." Child abuse can cause a wide range of deleterious effects in adulthood, impacting the ability to form healthy relationships or develop a sense of self-efficacy (Rivers, 2011). The link between child abuse and clinical problems like depression, addiction, and anxiety can be best explained via developmental psychology. Erikson's eight stages of psychosocial development demonstrate how abuse at any one stage might predict psychological or behavioral problems later in life. Rivers (2011) notes, "Erik Erikson's eight stages of psychosocial development show that failing to master early stages -- often because of abuse -- causes maladaptive behaviors and impaired emotional capacity in the adult."

Although abuse can happen at any age and wreak havoc on the psychological health of the individual, it is at early childhood stages that trauma can leave the greatest emotional scars (Dalcour, 2011). For example, Erikson's third stage of development generally refers to the ages between two and six. "Children are developing social skills, confidence in their self-image and a moral conscience during the critical ages of 2 to 6," (Dalcour, 2011). It is at this crucial developmental stage that children learn to navigate between feelings of guilt and feelings of personal initiative. A positive resolution of the third stage of development leads to healthy socialization, including the ability to cooperate with peers and the ability to discern on a deep level the difference between moral right and wrong (Dalcour, 2011). Abuse during a child's critical third stage of psychosocial development can hinder effective or healthy coping mechanisms. Instead of developing a strong sense of purpose, identity, or self-efficacy, the abused child might internalize feelings of guilt or inadequacy at this stage.

If abuse occurs even earlier, such as in the toddler years, then the impact on adult or later psychosocial development might be different. For example, Dalcour (2011) points out that Erikson's first stage of psychosocial development is that point at which trust is developed. Abuse during the first stage of psychosocial development can cause serious trust issues later in life. At the next stage, autonomy is being developed in healthy children. Children who are abused at the second stage of psychosocial development might have a hard time gaining a sense of personal autonomy and instead internalize self-doubt and even shame. This could lead to problems related to career development. Moreover, abuse at any stage hinders psychosocial and emotional growth, so that the child has trouble with subsequent stages of development. Being "stuck" at an earlier stage of development can lead to serious psychological disorders including obsessive-compulsive disorder, substance abuse, depression, anxiety, and the inability to form healthy relationships.