Comparative relationships between physical and verbal abuse of children, life course mental well-being and trends in exposure: a multi-study secondary analysis of cross-sectional surveys in England and Wales

Exposure to childhood physical or verbal abuse have similar associations with lower mental well-being during adulthood. Interventions to reduce child abuse, including physical chastisement, should consider both physical and verbal abuse and their individual and combined consequences to life course health. The potential role of childhood verbal abuse in escalating levels of poor mental health among younger age groups needs greater consideration.