Certified Case Manager Practice Test

Which type of trauma includes both physical and emotional forms of harm?

1. Natural disasters

2. Terrorism

3. Child maltreatment

4. Social exclusion

The correct answer is: Child maltreatment

Child maltreatment is recognized as a type of trauma that encompasses both physical and emotional harm. This includes various forms of abuse, such as physical abuse (hitting, shaking, etc.), emotional abuse (verbal mistreatment, neglect of emotional needs), sexual abuse, and physical neglect. The implications of child maltreatment are profound, as it not only affects the immediate physical well-being of the child but also has lasting emotional and psychological effects that can persist into adulthood. The other options, while they can certainly lead to trauma, do not encapsulate the dual nature of harm as clearly as child maltreatment. Natural disasters typically represent physical events with emotional impacts but do not inherently involve personal interpersonal abuse. Terrorism can indeed cause both physical and emotional trauma, but it is more aligned with the context of an attack rather than ongoing maltreatment. Social exclusion can lead to emotional distress, but it often lacks the overt physical harm aspect associated with abuse. Therefore, child maltreatment stands out as the most comprehensive example of trauma involving both facets of harm.