Munchausen Syndrome

1. Introduction

According to the National Centre for Child Abuse and Neglect, more than four million children in the United States are abused or mistreated every year (Rappaport 12). Over half a million children suffer serious injuries, and about 1,500 children die, making child maltreatment the leading cause of deaths from injuries in children over a year old (Institute of Medicine, 1999). Undoubtedly, this number of reported cases represents only a small portion of the total number of children who are being abused. Child abuse can occur in many situations and in many communities which across all races and socioeconomic groups. It is a very serious problem today that is in need of prevention and we cannot ignore.

Children need predictability,

Generally, physical abuse refers to non-accidental physical injury as a result of use of physical forces against a child, which is inflicted by a parent, caregiver, or other person who has responsibility for the child (Children Welfare, 2013). The abusive behaviours include punching, beating, kicking, biting, shaking, throwing, stabbing, choking, hitting (with a hand, stick, strap, or other object), burning, shoving and poisoning physically. The induction or fabrication of an illness by a parent or caregiver known as Munchausen Syndrome is also considered physically abusive behaviour (Bromfield, 2005; World Health Organization [WHO], 2006). Emotional abuse or psychological abuse refers to inappropriate verbal or symbolic acts of parents or caregiver towards a child which impairs a child’s emotional development. Such acts of commission or omission have a large probability of damaging child’s self-esteem or social competence (Bromfield, 2005; WHO, 2006). This may include withholding love, support, guidance, criticism or

In all families, child abuse does occur even though we look the children are very happy from outside. Based on the research done by Janet Curie and Erdal Tekkin (2006), among the factors for child abuse are parents with lack of parenting skills. Some caregivers or parents never learn the skills on how to raise their kids. Teen parents, for example might have unrealistic expectations about how much care small children need or parents may raise their children as the way they were raised. Alcohol and drugs abuse are the most risky factor contributing to child abuse. Parents who are drunk or high are unable to control and care for their children. Children cannot live with alcoholic or addicted parents which can easily lead to abuse and