Certified Case Manager Practice Test

What is a common type of maltreatment involving emotional harm?

1. Physical neglect

2. Emotional abuse

3. Failure to thrive

4. Substance misuse by parents

The correct answer is: Emotional abuse

Emotional abuse is recognized as a common type of maltreatment that specifically involves causing emotional harm to a child or individual. This form of abuse can manifest in various ways, including verbal belittlement, humiliation, threats, or other behaviors intended to instill fear or undermine a person's sense of self-worth. Emotional abuse often leads to long-lasting psychological effects, impacting an individual’s mental health and well-being. In contrast to the other options, emotional abuse focuses explicitly on the harm caused by the emotional and psychological mistreatment. Physical neglect is more about a lack of basic physical needs being met, while failure to thrive usually refers to a child's physical health and growth issues often due to neglect or underlying medical conditions. Substance misuse by parents relates to the potential effects of a parent's behavior on a child but does not directly define a form of emotional maltreatment. Therefore, emotional abuse stands out as the direct answer concerning maltreatment involving emotional harm.