Verbal abuse in childhood can be as damaging as physical abuse

A new study says people exposed to verbal abuse in childhood were likely to feel disconnected, pessimistic and emotionally unwell in later life. Photo: Freepik

Verbal abuse of children could be as damaging to their mental health in adulthood as physical abuse, according to researchers in Britain.

A study of more than 20,000 adults in England and Wales found that people exposed to verbal abuse in childhood were likely to feel disconnected, pessimistic and emotionally unwell in later life.