Final answer:
A nurse would anticipate that a child who has been psychologically neglected may exhibit impaired cognitive development due to disruptions in attachment and psychosocial development.
Step-by-step explanation:
A nurse working with a child who has been psychologically neglected by the parents would anticipate the complication of impaired cognitive development. Considering the significant importance of psychosocial development in a child's life, neglect can lead to a variety of developmental issues. As attachments form during infancy and are a critical component of healthy development, neglect can disrupt this process leading to impaired attachments and negative effects on cognitive and social abilities.
Children who have experienced neglect may show symptoms such as being emotionally withdrawn, fearful, anxious, and they may perform poorly academically. The lack of sensitive and responsive caregiving that characterizes neglect can lead to conditions such as avoidant or resistant attachment, where children are either unresponsive to the caregiver or show clingy behavior followed by rejection of the caregiver's attempts to interact. In essence, neglect undermines the child's ability to form healthy attachments and can contribute to cognitive disruptions and lowered intelligence. Furthermore, these impacts do not only affect the individual but can extend to societal levels, affecting health care, education, and criminal systems.