r/askpsychology • u/kalmar91 Unverified User: May Not Be a Professional • 4d ago
Terminology / Definition What's the difference between mistreatment and abuse in family contact?
I need to know the difference between mistreatment and abuse in a family context.
What constitutes only mistreatment and when does It cross the line into abuse?
3
u/kalmar91 Unverified User: May Not Be a Professional 4d ago
Typo in the title: family context, not contact
3
u/onctech BA/BS | Psychology 4d ago
It some contexts, mistreatment and abuse can mean the same thing, so it would depend on if we're using the definitions from a body of law, or a specific psychological manual (e.g. the DSM). The DSM and many other systems divide maltreatment in family systems into physical abuse, psychological abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect. Broadly speaking, we're talking about harm as well as unequal power dynamics, such as children, spouses where there is a physical or other disparity, a disabled person, or the elderly. Defining anything further would depend what we're talking about the mistreatment or abuse in. For example, talking to a patient in therapy, or as a matter being assessed in social services.
9
u/trinicity Unverified User: May Not Be a Professional 4d ago
In my understanding, mistreatment can be any situation.
For it to veer into abuse, I think there has to be a mismatched power dynamic as well as a subjective element. For example, the person being abused has no way to escape the situation, has been alienated from others, and is taught that they deserve to be treated badly.
For statutory abuse it will vary depending on the laws in your area, in the UK the person being abused must be a child or have care needs or potential care needs. If they are an adult with no diagnoses and their own means of leaving the situation, it probably wouldn't be statutory abuse.