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01-07-2014 | Research on Adolescent Survivors of Abuse or Violence

Romantic Attachment as a Moderator of the Association Between Childhood Abuse and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms

Authors: Alex Busuito, Alissa Huth-Bocks, Erin Puro

Published in: Journal of Family Violence | Issue 5/2014

Abstract

Childhood abuse can have significant negative effects on survivors that often last into adulthood. The purpose of this study was to explore the role of romantic attachment in understanding the relationship between childhood abuse and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in adulthood. Data for this study were taken from the first wave of a five-wave longitudinal study. The sample included 120 mothers in their third trimester of pregnancy. Regression analyses were conducted in order to examine adult romantic attachment as a possible protective or vulnerability factor. Main effects of attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance on PTSD symptoms were found, such that higher levels of attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance were related to more PTSD symptoms. Attachment avoidance moderated this relationship, such that child abuse was significantly related to greater PTSD symptoms in those with high attachment avoidance. Implications for attachment-based interventions are discussed.

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Title: Romantic Attachment as a Moderator of the Association Between Childhood Abuse and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms
Authors: Alex Busuito
Alissa Huth-Bocks
Erin Puro
Publication date: 01-07-2014
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Family Violence / Issue 5/2014
Print ISSN: 0885-7482
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2851
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-014-9611-8

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Romantic Attachment as a Moderator of the Association Between Childhood Abuse and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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