A study suggests verbal abuse in childhood has a similar impact on adult mental health - as physical abuse

Researchers looked at seven studies including more than 20-thousand British adults born from the 1950s and onwards.

Of respondents who reported only physical abuse, more than 22 percent had low mental health.

But 24 percent of those who'd experienced verbal abuse, reported mental health concerns.

The study finds the rate of verbal abuse has risen suddenly - alongside physical abuse halving over recent decades.