Unfortunately, it is a very common occurrence in today’s society. Many children suffer abuse. While some children receive help and therapy, others are left to suffer. Emotional abuse is often not reported because it’s ignored. People who have been emotionally abused as children are more likely to develop depression. Their emotional neglect can cause feelings of guilt or worthlessness that may trigger the symptoms of depression. In my research paper, I reviewed two studies to support or refute this assertion. The studies were experimental and correlational.

Hanson, Hariri, & Williamson’s first paper was a longitudinal study that correlated ventral striatum (a subcortical brain structure that supports reward responsiveness and learnability) with depression. Theoretically, depression is associated with the ventral and striatum due to reduced reward-related activity. A positive self image and optimism, two factors linked to a protective effect against MDD, are associated with an increased reward-related striatum. Several studies found that the ventral cortex activity is low in children who have been abused and in adults who have also been abused. The longitudinal neuroimaging along with behavioral data was used to test the study’s hypothesis that changes of reward-related activity in the ventral cortex would be linked to emotional abuse, which leads to depression later in life. The study recruited 106 participants for an initial study on alcohol and depression disorders. They underwent in-person interviews and self-report assessments as well as MRI scanning. Participants were re-called each year to complete questionnaires, interviews and follow-up MRIs. All participants were free of psychopathology, with the exception 16 participants who had anxiety. Depressive symptoms are measured using the child report version Mood and Feelings Questionnaire, which is highly reliable and consistent. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire was used to assess emotional neglect. Participants were assessed twice, and the average of the two assessments was calculated. To measure ventral reward-related activity in the striatum, participants played a guessing card game. Each block consisted of three blocks, with a mix of positive and negative feedback. Their hypothesis was confirmed by the results. The changes in ventral-striatum activity were associated with emotional neglect. The participants who reported being emotionally neglected were more likely to have a lower ventral activity. Low ventral striatum activities were also linked to depressive symptoms. In other words, when emotional negligence was high, ventral-striatum activity was low. This in turn affected the person’s mental state, which then brought about depressive symptom. A decrease in the ventral striatum’s activity was associated with depressive symptoms. The study discusses that when parents do not respond to their children’s emotions, it can cause them to have difficulty managing their emotions.

The results of the study suggest that drugs, activities, or therapies which increase ventral-striatum activity could help prevent depression among children who have suffered maltreatment in any of these areas. Depression can be slowed down if the child is still able to respond positively and to positive reinforcement. Negativity in the child’s life and punishments are the main reasons why they fail to have a positive outlook on themselves. I believe that abused kids may have not responded to positive feedback because they were punished and abused by the caretakers. Researchers only followed the participants for a short period of time. Would the results have changed if they had followed them beyond two years? Would participants have developed depression if we had seen an increase in ventral-striatum activity that was related to rewards? A correlational study does not prove that low ventral activity is the result of maltreatment. It only shows correlation. This study does not prove nor disprove the claim I made.

I examined an experiment by Guyer et.al. (2006) to understand maltreatment’s effects on children. Children were asked to play games in which they could win money (positive feedback) by guessing. Their selection speed was recorded by the computer. Researchers in Connecticut obtained maltreated children via DCF’s (Department of Children Services). They also used a group of control children, who they had found through advertising. Each child’s legal representative and consent was obtained. Parents received $25 and children $15. The robot would pick the spot that the children had predicted. They were given percentages of the probability the computer will land on their number. The independent variables were the chances of winning and response time. Children with a past of maltreatment made a less risky choice compared to the control group. Maltreated children, such as those diagnosed with depressive disorder, selected all options at roughly the same pace. The control group however took longer for them to select the high-risk option than the low-risk one. Maltreated children with depressive disorders chose riskier options at a slower pace than control children and other maltreated kids.

This study was experimental but not true because there were no random assignments to groups. Depressed children are not able to be compared with maltreated children in terms of risk taking. The study reveals some interesting information about maltreated children who have or do not have depression. They are more likely to choose carefully, even when the rewards could be greater. This is because maltreated kids (including those who suffer from depression) have received irrational punishments and lack of rewards. Some children may avoid risky situations because they fear punishments that outweigh benefits. Also, they may feel that their chances are low and not confident about winning due to abuse and low ventral activity (as indicated by the correlational research).

I have found that after reading these studies that it is important to encourage children to make small, rewarding decisions. This will prevent them from becoming passive and developing depression, which can hinder their ability to make big decisions in life. In order to re-condition abuse victims, it is best to place them in therapies pertaining to behavior and thinking. Cognitive therapy can help maltreated children think more optimistically. Cognitive-behavioral therapies will change the child’s thinking and behavior. Combining these therapies with medicine that increases reward-related activity within the ventral-striatum would be a great way to do this. In order to help prevent child abuse, parents must be properly educated, either before or during pregnancy. These classes should be offered to all parents and, in a perfect world, they would be free.