The aim of this paper is to explain what emotional abuse is, what consequences it leaves on the child, what are the risk factors that can lead to emotional abuse, and to describe the parenting styles and how they are related to emotional abuse of children. Emotional abuse and neglect of children includes destructive and hostile behaviour of adults towards children, and appears in different forms, from ignoring to openly hostile attitude towards children. Regarding the influence of parenting styles on child behaviour, the authoritative parenting style is proved to be the most effective due to its balance between warmth and control. An authoritarian parenting style, that includes a high degree of control and a low degree of warmth, carries with it the risk of emotional abuse of children, which can leave severe consequences for the child. In an indifferent parenting style, there is a high risk for emotional neglect, considering that it includes low supervision, but also low emotional warmth. Various procedures that help parents to develop more adequate patterns of communication with children and methods of disciplining can be useful in the prevention of abuse and neglect. It is very important to recognize the signs of child abuse and to provide adequate support for the child so that the consequences of abuse are as minimal as possible.