Related phrases: psychological or emotional abuse psychological/emotional abuse emotional abuse or neglect verbal/emotional abuse mental or emotional abuse
Definitions of emotional abuse on the Web:

• Psychological abuse, also referred to as emotional abuse, is a form of abuse characterized by a person subjecting or exposing another to behavior that is psychologically harmful . ...
  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emotional_abuse
• includes parents' or caretakers' acts or omissions that cause or could cause serious conduct, cognitive, affective, or other mental disorders. For example, torture, close confinement or the constant use of verbally abusive language to harshly criticize and denigrate a child. ...
  preventchildabuseny.org/aboutchildabuse.shtml
• is the willful or reckless infliction of emotional or mental. Anguish or the use of a physical or chemical restraint, medication or isolation as punishment or as a substitute for treatment or care of any protected person.
  www.dhr.state.al.us/page.asp
• A pattern of behavior that impairs a child's emotional development or sense of self-worth. This may include constant criticism, threats, or rejection, as well as withholding love, support, or guidance. ...
  bts.dragonpack.com/definitions.shtml
• often results in various behavioral, emotional, or psychological problems.
  www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Child_abuse
• Verbally mistreating or withholding positive emotional support from a child. Emotional abuse involves an adult speaking to a child in ways that are intended to demean shame, threaten, blame, intimidate, or unfairly criticize the child.
  www.jjab.ky.gov/terms.htm
• Humiliation or intimidation of another person.
  www.psychiatric-disorders.com/dictionary/acutemania-eyemovementdesensitizationandreprocessing.php
• is the persistent emotional maltreatment of a child such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child's emotional development. It may involve conveying to children that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person. ...
  www.csasprocedures.uk.net/chapters/p_definitions.html

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Mental or emotional abuse means the infliction of mental or emotional harm to a child or the causation of a child's deterioration. This term may include, but shall not be limited to, maltreatment or exploitation of a child to the extent the child's health is likely to be harmed.
www.srskansas.org/CFS/robohelp/PPMGenerate/0000_General_Information/0160_glossary.htm