Report on the Long-Term Mental Health Impacts of Childhood Abuse and Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: A Challenge to Global Well-being and Justice

A comprehensive analysis of seven studies conducted between 2012 and 2024, involving 20,687 adults, reveals a significant correlation between childhood abuse and poor adult mental health. These findings present a direct challenge to the achievement of key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). The research underscores the urgent need to address all forms of childhood maltreatment, including verbal abuse, to ensure progress towards global development targets.

Key Findings and Their Relation to SDG Targets

Impact on Mental Well-being (SDG 3)

The study provides critical data on the detrimental effects of abuse on long-term mental health, a core component of SDG 3. The analysis, which utilized the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) tool and the Warwick-Edinburgh mental wellbeing scale, identified a strong link between childhood experiences and adult psychological outcomes.

• Individuals who experienced parental verbal abuse (e.g., ridicule, threats, humiliation) had a 64% higher likelihood of poor mental well-being in adulthood.
• Childhood physical abuse was associated with a 52% increased likelihood of low adult mental well-being.
• The prevalence of low mental well-being was highest among those who suffered both physical and verbal abuse (29%), compared to 24% for verbal abuse alone, 22.5% for physical abuse alone, and 16% for those with no history of abuse.

These statistics demonstrate that childhood abuse is a significant barrier to achieving Target 3.4, which aims to promote mental health and well-being for all.

Shifting Trends in Violence Against Children (SDG 16)

The research highlights evolving patterns of childhood abuse, which have direct implications for SDG Target 16.2: “End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.”

1. Decline in Physical Abuse: The prevalence of physical abuse reported by participants halved, dropping from approximately 20% among those born between 1950-1979 to 10% for those born in or after 2000.
2. Increase in Verbal Abuse: Conversely, the prevalence of verbal abuse increased from 12% among cohorts born before 1950 to roughly 20% for those born in 2000 or later.

Professor Mark Bellis of Liverpool John Moores University noted this concerning trend, stating that the mental health gains from reduced physical harm may be offset by the rise in verbal abuse. This suggests that efforts to achieve SDG 16 must evolve to address the increasing prevalence of non-physical forms of violence.

Analysis and Implications for SDG Attainment

Threats to Good Health and Reduced Inequalities (SDG 3 & SDG 10)

The study confirms that verbal abuse can have mental health impacts “at least as severe as those associated with physical abuse.” This enduring harm contributes to lifelong health inequalities, undermining both SDG 3 and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). Previous research has linked such childhood trauma to higher risks of self-harm, drug use, and incarceration, further compounding public health burdens and societal inequality.

Gender-specific impacts were also noted, with men more likely to report never feeling optimistic or useful, and women more likely to report never feeling relaxed, indicating that the consequences of abuse may intersect with challenges related to SDG 5 (Gender Equality).

Recommendations for Policy and Action

To realign efforts with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the findings suggest a need for a multi-faceted approach.

• Public Health Strategy: Public awareness campaigns and parenting support programs must explicitly address the severe harm caused by verbal abuse, moving beyond telling parents “what not to do” and toward offering practical support for nurturing relationships. This directly supports SDG 3.
• Strengthening Institutions for Justice (SDG 16): As articulated by Jessica Bondy, founder of the charity Words Matter, action is needed to “confront the lasting harm caused by cruel, critical or controlling language.” This requires a societal commitment to recognizing and ending childhood verbal abuse as a fundamental violation of a child’s right to safety and protection under SDG 16.2.
• Data and Monitoring: To effectively track progress, monitoring frameworks for SDG 16 should be enhanced to better capture the prevalence and impact of verbal and emotional abuse.

Conclusion

This research provides compelling evidence that childhood verbal abuse is a growing public health crisis with severe, long-term consequences that impede progress on the Sustainable Development Goals. While advancements in reducing physical abuse are positive, the concurrent rise in verbal abuse threatens to negate these gains. A concerted global effort, integrating public health, education, and justice sector strategies, is essential to protect children from all forms of violence and build the foundation for a healthy, just, and sustainable future for all, as envisioned by the SDGs.

Analysis of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article primarily addresses issues related to the following Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The core focus of the article is the direct link between childhood abuse (both physical and verbal) and its detrimental effects on adult mental health. It explicitly states that verbal abuse can leave children with a “64% higher chance of having poor mental health as an adult,” directly connecting childhood experiences to long-term well-being.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  This goal aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies, and a key component is the protection of children. The article’s discussion of physical and verbal abuse against children is a central theme of SDG 16, which seeks to end all forms of violence against children.

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  The article touches upon this goal by highlighting gender-differentiated outcomes in mental well-being. It notes that “men were more likely to report never or rarely feeling optimistic, useful, or close to people, while women were more likely to report never or rarely feeling relaxed,” suggesting that the impacts of life experiences, including potential abuse, may manifest differently across genders.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the following specific targets can be identified:

1. Target 3.4: Promote mental health and well-being

   This target aims to “reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.” The article directly supports this by investigating the root causes of poor mental well-being. The study’s finding that childhood verbal abuse is linked to a “64% increase in the likelihood of a person experiencing low mental wellbeing as an adult” underscores the importance of prevention to promote adult mental health.

2. Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children

   The article is fundamentally about this target. It analyzes the prevalence and impact of two forms of violence against children: physical and verbal abuse. It provides data on the changing trends, noting that “the prevalence of physical abuse halved from about 20%… to 10%,” while for “verbal abuse, the prevalence increased from 12%… to about 20%.” This directly relates to the goal of ending all forms of violence against children.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions and implies several indicators that can be used for measurement:

• Prevalence of low mental well-being

  The study uses the “Warwick-Edinburgh mental wellbeing scale” to score and categorize participants’ mental health. The article reports specific prevalence rates, such as “The prevalence of low mental wellbeing for those who had experienced no abuse stood at 16%, rising to… 29% for both physical and verbal abuse.” This serves as a direct indicator for measuring progress on mental well-being under Target 3.4.

• Prevalence of childhood physical and verbal abuse

  The article uses the “Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) tool” to measure the incidence of abuse. It provides clear quantitative data on the prevalence of both physical and verbal abuse over time, differentiated by birth cohorts. For example, it states that physical abuse declined among those born after 2000, while verbal abuse increased. This data directly corresponds to the type of information needed for Indicator 16.2.1 (Proportion of children who experienced physical punishment and/or psychological aggression).

• Gender-disaggregated data on mental well-being

  The article implies the need for this indicator by reporting that men and women experience low mental well-being differently. The finding that “men were more likely to report never or rarely feeling optimistic… while women were more likely to report never or rarely feeling relaxed” highlights the importance of collecting and analyzing data disaggregated by gender to understand the full scope of mental health challenges, relevant to both SDG 3 and SDG 5.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: theguardian.com