Physical neglect can be just as devastating to children’s social development as physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, according to groundbreaking research that challenges conventional wisdom about childhood maltreatment. The study reveals that neglected children struggle to form and maintain friendships in ways that could impact their relationships throughout life.
The research, published in Child Abuse & Neglect, examined over 9,150 individuals and found that while different types of childhood maltreatment affected social development in varying ways, physical neglect uniquely disrupted all measured dimensions of children’s social connections.
“This is such a critical part of the life course, where children’s focus is shifting from parents to peers, and they are learning how to connect with other people,” said Christina Kamis, sociology professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and lead author of the study. “It prepares young people for romantic relationships and social relationships moving forward, so it has vast consequences.”
A Hidden Epidemic
The findings are particularly concerning given that physical neglect is the most frequently reported type of maltreatment in Child Protective Services records, yet receives comparatively little attention from researchers. The study found that over 10% of participants reported experiencing physical neglect before age 12, while nearly 29% reported physical abuse, 17% reported emotional abuse, and 4% reported sexual abuse.
Using innovative social network analysis techniques, the researchers examined three key dimensions of children’s peer relationships: how social or withdrawn they were, their popularity among peers, and how tightly knit their friendship groups were. The results painted a stark picture of neglect’s wide-ranging impact.
Visible Scars of Invisible Wounds
While sexual abuse primarily led to social withdrawal, and emotional and physical abuse resulted in peer avoidance and fragmented social connections, physical neglect uniquely affected all these dimensions. The researchers found that neglected children named fewer friends, were less likely to be named as friends by others, and had more scattered, less cohesive social networks.
“If you are not receiving proper housing, food and clothing, or you’re not being bathed or taken care of at home, that can be visible to your peers and have stigma attached to it,” Kamis explained. “The external manifestations of neglect may cause other children to avoid being friends with that child, while the shame the neglected child feels can also cause them to withdraw from others.”
Long-term Implications
The study, which drew from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, found that on average, students listed about four peers as friends and were listed as friends by about four others. However, maltreated children consistently showed lower numbers across these measures.
Co-author Molly Copeland of the University of Notre Dame noted that these early social difficulties could have lasting implications. The research suggests that children who experience maltreatment may develop patterns of social interaction that affect their ability to form and maintain relationships throughout their lives.
Breaking the Cycle
The researchers advocate for increased screening and support across children’s lifespans. “School can be a difficult arena for these children, so recognizing that they might need additional support developing friendships and breaking down some of the barriers with their peers is critical,” Kamis said.
The study’s findings highlight the need for greater attention to physical neglect in both research and intervention strategies. With nearly 41% of study participants reporting some form of maltreatment before reaching sixth grade, the research underscores the urgent need for comprehensive approaches to protecting children’s social development.
This research was published in Child Abuse & Neglect. The study drew from data collected in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health.