The Impact Child Abuse Has on Well-Being Throughout the Life Course

Abstract

In this exploration of child abuse and its impact on survivors' lives and well-being, well-being was defined as feeling physically, mentally, and emotionally well and functioning positively as an individual and a member of society. The primary categories of child abuse addressed were physical, psychological, and sexual abuse and neglect. Intimate personal violence as a form of child abuse was also addressed. Short- and long-term physical, psychological, social, and individual outcomes for child abuse survivors throughout the life course were explored. Interventions and strategies aimed at helping child abuse survivors and their caregivers recover from the aftermath of child abuse were explored. This work focused on what child abuse survivors and their caregivers found the most helpful on their journeys to well-being. While well-being outcomes for survivors of childhood abuse were found to be deleterious in many psychological, social, and individual areas, recovery and improvement in overall well-being were found to be possible for both child abuse survivors and their caregivers.