Attachment Organization and Adaptation in Sexually-Abused Women

Abstract

Objective To explore the possible associations among attachment organization, current functioning and Axis II personality disorder. Method Attachment organization was assessed using the Adult Attachment Interview in a clinical sample of 40 women with a history of childhood sexual abuse. The Global Assessment Scale yielded measures of current psychosocial functioning and the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnosis on DSM-III-R was used to assess presence of personality disorder. Results Preoccupation with attachment issues was evident in 68% of the subjects; 60% of the subjects were unresolved in respect to loss and/or trauma: and 88% of the subjects met criteria for one or more Axis II disorders. A relationship between Borderline Personality Disorder and the Unresolved attachment classification is suggested. Conclusions Women who have experienced childhood sexual abuse require intervention that focuses on resolution of trauma and loss and responds to individual differences in attitudes toward attachment issues.

Examining the complex relations between childhood adversity, mindfulness, attachment, and various personality outcomes: A Bayesian structural equation modeling approach.

“…Importantly, people with disordered personalities tend to have insecure attachment styles (Brennan & Shaver, 1998; Crawford et al, 2007; Meyer et al, 2001; Nakash et al, 2021; Smith et al, 2020) specifically avoidant attachment style is correlated with psychopathic traits (Gacono & Meloy, 1991; Gacono et al, 1992; Gambin et al, 2018; Meyer et al, 2001; Schimmenti et al, 2014), fearful is associated with psychopathic traits (Schimmenti et al, 2014), and anxious is associated with borderline traits (Carol & Davies, 1995; Levy, 2005; Nakash et al, 2021; Patrick, et al, 1994; Smith et al, 2020). It would seem from previous research that the relationship between childhood abuse and neglect and disordered personality traits may be indirect through insecure attachment (see Figure 1; Cohen et al, 2017; Roters, 2019; Roters & Book, 2023a).…”

Medically Unexplained Symptoms and Attachment Theory: The BodyMind Approach®

“…Using the natural stress adaptations e.g., flight, fight, (for mobilization) freeze, fold or faint (defensive immobilization) does not appear to resolve the internal perceived threat to wellbeing, survival and safety presented by MUS because the threat is in the body and not the environment. There is a correlation between female survivors of sexual abuse and preoccupied or insecure attachment (Stalker and Davies, 1995). Additionally, ACEs and somatization are linked (Waldinger et al, 2006), as are ACEs and attachment issues (Sansone et al, 2001).…”

The Mediating Effects of Attachment insecurity on the Relationship Between Childhood Trauma and Borderline Personality Traits

“…이중에서 아동기 외상과 가장 밀 접한 개념이 애착이다. 아동기 외상의 좋지 못한 영향중의 하나는 주요 양육자와의 안정 애착을 방해한다는 것이다 (Baer & Martinez, 2006) (Barone, 2003;Barone, Borellini, Madeddu, & Maffei, 2000;Diamond, Stovall-McClough, Clarkin, & Levy, 2003;Levy, 2005;Lyons-Ruth, Melnick, Patrick, & Hobson, 2007;Patrick, Hobson, Castle, Howard, & Maughan, 1994;Rosenstein & Horowitz, 1996;Stalker & Davies, 1995) (Fonagy & Luyten, 2009;Gunderson & Lyons-Ruth, 2008). (Helgeland & Torgersen, 2004;Sansone, Songer, & Miller, 2005) (Luterek, Harb, Heimberg, & Marx, 2004;Maciejewski & Mazure, 2006), 대인 관계 (Whiffen, Thompson, & Aube, 2000), 불우한 가정환경 (Bradley, Jenei, & Westen, 2005)…”