Which of the following best defines physical abuse in the context of diagnosing psychological disorders?

• A. Physical abuse refers to emotional manipulation or verbal threats directed at a child.
• B. Physical abuse is the intended, non-accidental physical injury or cruelty to a child.
• C. Physical abuse is the failure to provide necessary care, resulting in neglect of a child's basic needs.
• D. Physical abuse involves exposing a child to inappropriate sexual behavior or contact.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the context of the question, which is about defining physical abuse specifically in relation to diagnosing psychological disorders.
2. Step 2: Recognize that physical abuse involves direct physical harm or injury to a child, which is intentional and non-accidental.
3. Step 3: Differentiate physical abuse from other forms of maltreatment such as emotional abuse (which involves verbal threats or manipulation), neglect (failure to provide basic needs), and sexual abuse (inappropriate sexual behavior or contact).
4. Step 4: Identify that the correct definition of physical abuse focuses on the intentional infliction of physical injury or cruelty to a child.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the best definition of physical abuse in this context is: 'Physical abuse is the intended, non-accidental physical injury or cruelty to a child.'