Chart — Mental Health
Abuse Types & Indicators Chart
Abuse takes five recognized forms, and each leaves its own footprint. Knowing the indicators is what turns a vague unease into a documented, reportable concern — and the same patterns recur across children, adults, and elders.
Educational use only. Indicators raise suspicion; they are not proof. Follow your jurisdiction’s mandatory-reporting laws and facility policy. Educational use only. This material supports nursing education and exam review. It is not medical advice and is not a substitute for clinical judgment, institutional policy, or medical direction. Always follow facility protocols and current provider orders.
The Five Types
| Type | What It Is | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| Physical | Intentional bodily harm | Injuries inconsistent with history; injuries in various healing stages; patterned marks (belt, hand, cord, cigarette); injuries to covered areas; delays in seeking care |
| Emotional / psychological | Verbal assault, threats, intimidation, isolation, humiliation | Fearfulness, withdrawal, low self-esteem, anxiety/depression, developmental delays (children), deference to the abuser |
| Sexual | Non-consensual sexual contact or activity | Genital/anal injury or infection, STIs, pregnancy, difficulty walking/sitting, age-inappropriate sexual knowledge (children), trauma responses |
| Neglect | Failure to provide basic needs (most common form, especially children and elders) | Poor hygiene, malnutrition/dehydration, untreated conditions, unsafe environment, pressure injuries, missed appointments/medications |
| Financial / material | Illegal or improper use of resources (especially older/vulnerable adults) | Unexplained withdrawals or account changes, missing belongings, unpaid bills despite resources, sudden changes to wills/power of attorney |
Cross-Cutting Red Flags
Beyond the specific signs, certain patterns cut across all types: an explanation that doesn’t fit the injury, a story that changes, a companion who won’t leave the patient’s side or answers for them, repeated visits for injuries, and a patient who is fearful or unusually deferential. The most important single action is to interview the patient alone.
NCLEX Pearls
- ✦Injuries in various stages of healing and stories that don’t match the injury are classic abuse red flags.
- ✦Neglect is the most common form, especially in children and older adults.
- ✦Separate the patient from the companion and interview alone — the highest-yield assessment move.
- ✦Suspected abuse of a child or vulnerable adult is reported on suspicion — document objectively with the patient’s own words.
Related Resources
Standards & sources
Fact-checked Jun 21, 2026This page is written to align with American Psychiatric Association (DSM-5-TR) · American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) · SAMHSA. It is an educational summary, not a citation of any single document — always verify specific doses, values, and protocols against current guidelines and your facility policy. How we source content →