NCJ Number
213399
Journal
Child Abuse & Neglect Volume: 30 Issue: 2 Dated: February 2006 Pages: 171-191
Date Published
February 2006
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This study examined the roles that social support and attachment play with regard to psychopathology among young adults with and without a history of physical maltreatment.
Abstract
In a sample of 956 young adults, 294 of whom had a history of physical abuse, greater attachment security emerged as the strongest predictor of lower levels of psychopathology, particularly when characterized by a positive view of one’s self. View of one’s self was a stronger predictor than either view of other or social support which was consistent with prior research on abuse samples. The study results contribute to the already increasing body of research emphasizing the importance of attachment security and in particular a view of self as a protective factor. It contributes further to understanding of attachment dimensions and their protective effects with regard to both general psychopathology symptoms and trauma symptomatology. Using a large sample of young adults with and without a history of physical maltreatment, this study investigated protective factors and processes. Specifically, attachment and social support were examined both individually as protective factors and together as possible interactive factors in the prediction of psychopathology. Tables and references