Differential Pathways from Child Maltreatment Types to Insecure Adult Attachment Styles via Psychological and Social Resources: A Bayesian Network Analysis.

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State: Public
Version: Final published version
License: All rights reserved
Serval ID
serval:BIB_0ECBFDD4EA16
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Differential Pathways from Child Maltreatment Types to Insecure Adult Attachment Styles via Psychological and Social Resources: A Bayesian Network Analysis.
Journal
Journal of interpersonal violence
Author(s)
Höltge J., Rohner S.L., Heim E.M., Nater U., Thoma M.V.
ISSN
1552-6518 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
0886-2605
Publication state
Published
Issued date
06/2023
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
38
Number
11-12
Pages
7089-7114
Language
english
Notes
Publication types: Journal Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Publication Status: ppublish
Abstract
Child maltreatment has been linked to insecure adult attachment. However, it is not yet clear how different child maltreatment types are associated with attachment-related anxiety and avoidance in adulthood; and whether resilience against these insecure attachment styles is dependent on risk-specific resources. Therefore, this study explored differential pathways from child maltreatment types to attachment-related anxiety and avoidance in adulthood and examined whether psychological resources (self-esteem) and social resources (perceived social support) show risk-specific effects. An online survey retrospectively assessed experiences of child maltreatment, the level of attachment-related anxiety and avoidance in adulthood, self-esteem, and perceived social support in N = 604 former members of fundamentalist Christian faith communities (mean age = 41.27 years, SD = 12.50; 65.90% female). Cross-sectional data was analyzed using Bayesian network analysis. Only emotional child maltreatment showed direct relationships to insecure adult attachment. Specifically, emotional abuse and emotional neglect were associated with anxious and avoidant adult attachment, respectively. The effects of other child abuse types on adult attachment were mediated through emotional abuse, which indicated patterns of complex traumatization. Self-esteem mediated the effect of emotional abuse on anxious attachment, while perceived social support mediated the effect of emotional neglect on avoidant attachment. Social support was also linked to self-esteem and was therefore also important for individuals with experiences of emotional abuse. This study showed that child maltreatment types and their interactions are meaningfully linked to attachment-related anxiety and avoidance in adulthood. Interventions for survivors of child maltreatment should focus on risk-specific resources to support their resilience.
Keywords
Child, Humans, Adult, Female, Male, Retrospective Studies, Cross-Sectional Studies, Bayes Theorem, Emotions, Child Abuse/psychology, Bayesian network analysis, adult attachment, child abuse and neglect, resilience
Pubmed
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
05/01/2023 10:16
Last modification date
18/07/2023 5:56
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