Adolescent Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse: The Mediating Role of Attachment Style and Coping in Psychologial and Interpersonal Functioning

• NCJ Number: 180011
• Journal: Child Abuse & Neglect Volume: 23 Issue: 11 Dated: November 1999 Pages: 1175-1191
• Author(s): Deborah L. Shapiro; Alytia A. Levendosky
• Date Published: 1999
• Length: 17 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examines attachment style and coping strategies as potential mediating variables between childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and psychological and interpersonal functioning, in an attempt to explain variability in extent of disorder and level of functioning.

Abstract

Eighty adolescent females, aged 14 to 16 years, answered questions regarding abuse history, attachment style, coping with an interpersonal stressor, depression and trauma symptomatology, and conflict with a best friend. Attachment style mediated the effects of CSA and child abuse and neglect on coping and psychological distress. The indirect effects of CSA and other abuse through attachment accounted for most of the effects on coping and psychological distress. Avoidant and cognitive coping strategies also served as mediators in the models, accounting for most of the effects of the other variables on interpersonal conflict. The findings indicate that attachment style and coping strategies influence psychological and interpersonal functioning, mediating the direct effects of CSA and other types of child abuse and neglect. Figures, tables, references