Scapegoating or blaming. Your child will think he's a bad person who deserves to be unhappy. Berating your spouse. A 1998 study at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, determined that children who see their parents verbally abusing each other are more likely to be depressed or anxious, and to experience more interpersonal problems of their own. Interestingly, the study also found that verbal aggression between parents was more traumatic to children than physical violence between parents.
Reports are mixed.
A 1991 study at the University of New Hampshire found that 63 percent of more than 3,000 American parents surveyed reported one or more cases of verbal aggression toward children in their homes. This is the most common and pervasive effect of verbal abuse. Or he may simply seem withdrawn, sullen, or depressed, all of which can be signs of a poor self-image. The New Hampshire study found that verbally abused children demonstrated higher rates of physical aggression, delinquency, and interpersonal problems. The slowdown may appear in your child's physical, social, academic, or emotional development.