LA MALTRAITANCE PSYCHOLOGIQUE ENVERS LES ENFANTS PENDANT LA PANDÉMIE DE COVID-19.

Psychological maltreatment against children can take many forms and constitute a form of intrafamilial violence with major short- and long-term consequences on the victims' lives. Psychological violence is the type of intrafamilial violence the most frequently self-reported by parents, beyond physical violence (minor and severe). The COVID-19 pandemic, specifically the mandatory lockdown periods, has even more isolated the victims of child psychological maltreatment from the outside world. The main objective of the present literature review is to portray the existent knowledge on psychological maltreatment in the COVID-19 pandemic context, especially regarding the lockdown. The variables of interest are: definition of psychological maltreatment, risk factors, intrafamilial violence during the pandemic and the impacts on the child welfare system. By enhancing the understanding of the repercussions associated with COVID-19 on psychological maltreatment, it will be possible to better identify risk factors and families at risk in the eventuality of a resurgence of sanitary measures or of a similar kind of crisis in the future. It will then be possible to limit the consequences associated with psychological maltreatment on the development and the mental health of victims of child psychological maltreatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]