Childhood victimization, attachment, psychological distress, and substance use among women on probation and parole.

Abstract

The present analysis was guided by a gendered pathways-based theoretical model and examined relationships between childhood victimization and current attachment, psychological distress and substance use among 406 women with histories of victimization who were on probation and parole in an urban Kentucky county. Structural equation modeling examined relationships among childhood victimization, attachment, psychological distress, and substance use. Additionally, we examined the mediational role that attachment plays in relationships between childhood victimization and both psychological distress and substance use. The data fit the models properly. Psychological distress was significantly predicted by childhood victimization, and adult attachment partially mediated this relationship. Childhood victimization did not significantly predict substance use; however, attachment did. The findings suggest that attachment may be an important factor to further understand and address in relation to psychological distress and substance use among women with histories of victimization who are involved in the criminal justice system.

Who stays in addiction treatment groups? Anxiety and avoidant attachment styles predict treatment retention and relapse

“…Similarly, Dewitte, De Houwer, and Buysse () showed that attachment anxiety, and not avoidance, was related to lower implicit relational self‐esteem. Although adult attachment styles are stable over time (Dykas & Cassidy, ), negative (or traumatic) experiences may create an insecure attachment style in previously secured individuals (Winham et al, ). With this in mind, it has been suggested that therapeutic intervention may support anxiously attached or avoidantly attached individuals to improve attachment security (e.g., Kinley & Rayno, ; Marmarosh, ).…”

Insecure Attachment and Drug Misuse among Women

“…When the child does not receive the adequate response needed from the caregiver, insecure attachment styles are formed. Each child develops his own set of expectations, or internal working models, in regards to their caregivers' responsiveness and availability to their needs (Winham et al, 2015). These models are internalized by the child and develop into schemas for how the adult sees him-or herself and interpersonal relationships in the future (Winham et al, 2015).…”

“…Researchers have reported that the consequences of maltreatment play a greater role in the development of delinquent behavior in females than in males (Foy, Ritchie, & Conway, 2012). In a recent study, Winham et al (2015) examined the role attachment plays between childhood victimization, psychological distress and substance misuse among 406 women on probation who have a history of childhood victimization. It was shown that childhood victimization did not predict drug misuse, but attachment did.…”

“…In several studies, women reported viewing connectedness to others as playing a significant role in their process of drug misuse and recovery. Considering the implications of insecure attachments on drug misuse, psychological distress, parenting and more, it is critical for attachment-based treatment to be considered in assessment, prevention, and treatment of women who misuse drugs (Winham et al, 2015).…”

“…Studies show that the more secure attachment experiences the woman has, the more she will be able to develop a positive approach to self, which can strengthen her responses to stressful situation on cognitive, emotional and behavioral levels. The therapy group may serve as a safe base for the women, model secure attachments, and teach them how to create healthy relationships (Winham et al, 2015). Such an approach may be particularly helpful for women in the criminal justice system and helping them to address underlying factors of drug misuse, including treatment for trauma and mental health problems (Welch-Brewer & Roberts-Lewis, 2011).…”