NCJ Number
168498
Journal
Child Abuse and Neglect Volume: 21 Issue: 10 Dated: (October 1997) Pages: 1015-1023
Date Published
1997
Length
9 pages
Annotation
The relative contributions of early attachment and child abuse history to adult attachment, depression, and conflict resolution behaviors were examined using data from a multiscale questionnaire completed by 879 college students.
Abstract
The research also examined differences between abused and nonabused participants. The data were analyzed by means of hierarchical regression analyses. Results revealed that 26.4 percent of the participants reported childhood abuse; overlap occurred among types of abuse. A total of 21.8 percent reported verbal abuse, 9.8 percent reported physical abuse, and 6.5 percent reported sexual abuse. Those who reported that they had been abused as children reported less secure childhood and adult relationships than their nonabused counterparts. They were also more depressed and more likely to use destructive behaviors in conflict situations. Both adult romantic attachment and participants depression sources were best accounted for by childhood attachment to mother and father rather than abuse history. However, results for conflict resolution behaviors were the opposite; abuse history was the stronger predictor and parental attachment did not account for any significant additional variance. Findings suggested that the long-term impact of childhood abuse may be mediated by early attachment experiences, whereas the long-term impact of abuse on conflict resolution behaviors may be considerably more direct. Tables and 26 references (Author abstract modified)