Psychological Maltreatment of Children Reported to Youth Protection Services

Whereas the negative consequences of the psychological maltreatment of children are now acknowledged, the extent of this phenomenon remains largely unknown. This study presents information collected from child welfare practitioners working in the Province of Quebec on all cases retained for investigation during a three-month period (N= 4775). The study describes the number and characteristics of children who are psychologically maltreated, the co-occurrence of this problem with various other types of maltreatment, and the factors that best distinguish these children from those who have not experienced this type of maltreatment. The findings demonstrate the extent of this problem and indicate that children who have been psychologically maltreated are often victims of other types of maltreatment. The family environment of these children gives cause for great concern.