Effects of Verbal Abuse in Childhood

Published: August 6, 2025

On August 6, 2025, new research reverberated across mental health communities: verbal abuse in childhood may inflict more harm than physical abuse a finding with deep implications, especially for Kenya, where discipline through harsh words is often culturally tolerated.

A large-scale UK study published in BMJ Open tracked 20,687 adults and compared the effects of verbal vs. physical childhood abuse. It found that those exposed to verbal abuse were 1.64 times more likely to report poor mental wellbeing in adulthood, while those who suffered physical abuse had a 1.52 greater risk. Individuals who experienced both forms faced more than double the likelihood of low mental health.

The Guardian
Bangor University

Alarmingly, the study also revealed that physical abuse has declined across generations, yet verbal abuse has become more prevalent, affecting about 20% of individuals born after 2000—up from 12% in earlier generations.
The Guardian
Bangor University

This trend is especially worrying in Kenya, where authoritarian parenting and classroom environments often rely on verbal reprimand. The long-term consequences elevated risks of anxiety, depression, isolation, and impaired self-worth can silently shape a child’s inner world well into adulthood.

Takeaway for Kenyan Parents, Educators, and Caregivers:

Curbing physical punishment without addressing harmful words may simply trade one form of trauma for another. This study urges a cultural shift towards nurturing communication, offering concrete support and guidance for positive parenting.