Abuse refers to harmful or injurious treatment of a person to another person which may include physical, sexual, verbal, sychological/emotional, intellectual, or spiritual maltreatment.

Abuse is a complex psychosocial problem that affects large numbers of adults as well as children throughout the world. It is listed in the Diagnostic and Statistic Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) under the heading of "Other Conditions That May Be a Focus of Clinical Attention." Although abuse was first defined with regard to children when it first received sustained attention in the 1950s, clinicians and researchers now recognize that adults can suffer abuse in a number of different circumstances.

Related Articles

Axis I at psychology-glossary.com■■■■■■
Axis I refers to the diagnostic axis of the DSM-IV-TR that identifies all of the clinical disorders that . . . Read More
Child maltreatment at psychology-glossary.com■■■■■
Child maltreatment referr to the abuse and neglect of children by parents or by others responsible for . . . Read More
Child abuse at psychology-glossary.com■■■■■
Child abuse is a term used to describe any extreme maltreatment of children, involving physical battering; . . . Read More
DSM-IV at psychology-glossary.com■■■■■
DSM-IV refers to the 4th edition of "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders " (DSM) , . . . Read More
Autistic Spectrum Disorder at psychology-glossary.com■■■■■
Autistic Spectrum Disorder refers to a complex developmental disability that affects the way a person . . . Read More
Fetal alcohol syndrome at psychology-glossary.com■■■■■
Fetal alcohol syndrome refers to a disorder stemming from extensive prenatal exposure to alcohol. Children . . . Read More
Prader-Willi syndrome at psychology-glossary.com■■■■■
Prader-Willi syndrome refers to a complex genetic disorder associated with an abnormality of chromosome . . . Read More
Ecological psychotherapy at psychology-glossary.com■■■■■
Ecological Psychotherapy refers to a model for assessment, problem formulation, and treatment planning . . . Read More
Hospital at psychology-glossary.com■■■■■
Hospital is defined as an organizations that deliver acute care services which is also often called . . . Read More
Axis IV at psychology-glossary.com■■■■■
Axis IV refers to the diagnostic axis of the DSM-IV that specifies any psychosocial or environmental . . . Read More