Predictors of Outcomes Among Inpatient Abuse Survivors: Family and Attachment Processes

Profiles of Irish survivors of institutional abuse with different adult attachment styles

“…However our results are consistent with those of studies of adults which have shown that insecure attachment in childhood and in adult romantic relationships is associated with non-optimal child-rearing experiences and psychopathology (e.g., Agrawal, Gunderson et al, 2004;Dozier, Stovall, & Albus, 1999;Fonagy, Leigh et al, 1996;Fossati, Feeney et al, 2003;Meyer, Pilkonis et al, 2001;Muller, Lemieux & Sicoli, 2001;Riggs, Paulson et al, 2007;Schindler, Rainer et al, 2005;Ward, Lee & Polan, 2006).…”

“…Studies of adults' have shown that both the coherence of adults' narratives about their early attachment experiences (as assessed by the Adult Attachment Interview (Hesse, 2008;Main, Hesse, & Goldwyn, 2008), and adult attachment styles in romantic relationships (as assessed by self-report questionnaires (Brennan, Clark & Shaver, 1998)), are associated with non-optimal child-rearing experiences and psychopathology (e.g., Agrawal, Gunderson et al, 2004;Dozier, Stovall, & Albus, 1999;Fonagy, Leigh et al, 1996;Fortuna & Roisman, 2008;Fossati, Feeney et al, 2003;Meyer, Pilkonis et al, 2001;Muller, Lemieux & Sicoli, 2001;Riggs, Paulson et al, 2007;Schindler, Rainer et al, 2005;Ward, Lee & Polan, 2006). In contrast, secure attachment in childhood and adulthood is typically associated with a history of involvement in supportive and sensitive care giving relationships (Cairns, 2002;Mikulincer & Shaver, 2007).…”

“…For example, Allen, Coyne & Huntoon (1998) in a study of trauma survivors found 68% had a fearful adult attachment style, and Riggs et al (2007) in a study of psychiatric inpatients found 58% of her sample were fearful.…”