Kekerasan Verbal dalam Pengasuhan dan Respons Emosional Anak: Studi Deskriptif di Desa Batumbulan

Abstract

This study aims to analyze verbal abuse in parenting and children’s emotional responses in Batumbulan Village, Babussalam District, Southeast Aceh Regency. The study focuses on parents’ understanding of verbal and nonverbal abuse, forms of verbal communication used in parenting, and children’s emotional responses to such treatment. This study employed a descriptive qualitative approach. The informants consisted of 11 participants, including five female parents aged 29–42 years, five children aged 6–12 years, and one village head as a supporting informant. The main informants were selected purposively based on predetermined criteria. Data were collected through non-participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and documentation. Data credibility was examined through source and technique triangulation, while data were analyzed through data reduction, data display, conclusion drawing, and verification. The findings show that some parents had limited understanding of verbal abuse because child abuse was more commonly understood as physical violence. In parenting practices, the forms of communication identified included scolding, shouting, using a high tone of voice, and giving harsh reprimands when children made or repeatedly made mistakes. Based on the children’s experiences, such communication was associated with various emotional responses, including sadness, disappointment, fear, embarrassment, crying, hurt feelings, silence or withdrawal, and reduced self-confidence. These findings indicate the need to improve parents’ understanding of the boundary between disciplinary practices and communication involving verbal abuse. The use of positive, calm, and respectful communication is important for creating a safer parenting environment for children’s emotional development.