Which behavior would a 2-year-old child with a history of physical abuse most likely display?

Which behavior would a 2-year-old child with a history of physical abuse most likely display?

• A. Seek close contact with familiar adults
• B. Be wary of physical contact imitated by anyone
• C. Show no fear of strangers
• D. Enjoy rough play with others

Answer: (B)

Trauma from physical abuse often makes touch feel unsafe, so a child who has endured such harm is more likely to react with wariness to physical contact. At two years old, children rely on touch from caregivers for comfort and regulatory cues, but when touch has been associated with harm, the child may become hypervigilant and withdraw from closeness. This general caution toward any physical contact, even from familiar adults, best reflects the learned association between touch and danger and the need to protect themselves from potential harm. Seeking close contact with familiar adults would suggest security and trust that trauma can disrupt. Showing no fear of strangers would be unlikely after abuse, since fear or wariness around new people is common. Enjoying rough play with others doesn’t align with a trauma pattern aimed at safety and withdrawal from potential threats.

Trauma from physical abuse often makes touch feel unsafe, so a child who has endured such harm is more likely to react with wariness to physical contact. At two years old, children rely on touch from caregivers for comfort and regulatory cues, but when touch has been associated with harm, the child may become hypervigilant and withdraw from closeness. This general caution toward any physical contact, even from familiar adults, best reflects the learned association between touch and danger and the need to protect themselves from potential harm.

Seeking close contact with familiar adults would suggest security and trust that trauma can disrupt. Showing no fear of strangers would be unlikely after abuse, since fear or wariness around new people is common. Enjoying rough play with others doesn’t align with a trauma pattern aimed at safety and withdrawal from potential threats.