Emotional neglect is best described as?

• A. Failure to provide support, adequate attention, warmth, supervision, and normal living experiences to an extent that the child is impaired
• B. Physical abuse
• C. Financial neglect
• D. Excessive praise

Answer: (A)

Emotional neglect means consistently failing to meet a child's emotional needs—providing enough support, attention, warmth, guidance, and a stable, normal living environment—so that the child's emotional and social development is harmed. This description fits best because it focuses on the absence of caring and responsive caregiving that leads to impairment in the child. It’s different from physical abuse, which involves harm to the body; from financial neglect, which involves lacking basic material resources; and from excessive praise, which does not constitute neglect.