Parents who physically abuse often have poor impulse control and have a lack of fulfillment, she said. While evidence of physical abuse can be hard to hide, emotional abuse often goes undetected, Carlson said. Without the physical marks to investigate, emotional abuse is not taken seriously. And, contrary to popular notion, abused children usually do not continue the cycle. Alcohol and substance abuse also are common characteristic among those who abuse children.
Poverty also plays a role.
Abused children often suffer from low self-esteem and have trouble maintaining relationships later in life, Carlson said. But these repercussions depend on other factors, including type, duration and frequency of the abuse.