Final answer:
The 'D' in the CHILD ABUSE mnemonic stands for 'delay in seeking care', which is a sign that can indicate child abuse. It is important to evaluate this alongside other signs and risk factors such as caregiver substance abuse and disorganized attachment behavior in children.
Step-by-step explanation:
When using the mnemonic CHILD ABUSE to assess a child for signs of abuse, the “D” stands for delay in seeking care. This mnemonic aids in recognizing various indicators that may point to different forms of child abuse, such as neglect, physical, sexual, psychological maltreatment, and medical neglect. Recognizing a delay in seeking care can be critical, as it may reflect attempts to hide the abuse or neglect, or an uncaring attitude towards the child's wellbeing. Other contributing factors to child abuse include drug and alcohol use among caregivers, social isolation, depression, and a history of the caregiver being mistreated as a child. Furthermore, research suggests children with disorganized attachment, often seen in those who have been abused, exhibit erratic behaviors such as freezing or running around in a strange situation when the caregiver returns.