Which of the following is a potential long-term effect of child abuse?

The potential long-term effect of child abuse includes mental health issues and difficulty forming relationships. Children who experience abuse may carry the trauma into adulthood, leading to various psychological difficulties such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and low self-esteem. These mental health challenges can significantly impair an individual's ability to build and maintain healthy relationships due to trust issues, fear of intimacy, or inadequate coping mechanisms learned during childhood.

Child abuse disrupts the development of secure attachments and social skills, which are essential for fostering positive interpersonal relationships. Consequently, individuals may struggle with feelings of isolation or engage in unhealthy relationship patterns as a result of their past experiences. Understanding this aspect is crucial for professionals in child welfare, as recognizing and addressing these long-term consequences can greatly improve the support and services provided to affected individuals.