Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Physical Abuse
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
- Attribution
- View All
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Physical abuse is forceful behavior that can result in injury to another person. An abuser uses beatings to control the victim. The abuse rarely occurs just one time. Physical abuse may be accompanied by emotional abuse. A recent study of girls in 9th through 12th grade found that one out of five girls were physically and/or sexually abused by a dating partner.
A victim of physical abuse might be:
A victim may also suffer from being shaken. When a person is severely shaken, the injury can cause clots and swelling in the brain. This is much like shaken baby syndrome. Men, women, and children can all be victims of physical abuse. Victims can be any age and from any ethnic, religious, or economic group.
What are the causes and risks of the injury?
While there is no specific type of person who is at risk for abuse, certain factors do put some people at greater risk. These risk factors include:
Experts know that adolescents who have been abused are at higher risk for other health problems. However, we do not yet know whether the health problems came before the abuse, or if the abuse increased the risk for the health problem. These problems include the following: