Verbally abused children more likely to have poor mental health as adults, study finds

The study found physical abuse reduced over time but verbal abuse increased. Photograph: chameleonseye/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Parents who ridicule, threaten or humiliate their children risk leaving them with a 64% higher chance of having poor mental health as an adult, a study has found.

The research also found physical abuse experienced among the research participants reduced over time, while verbal abuse increased.