The timing of adverse childhood experiences and adult attachment insecurity

Saxsma, Matthew Gregg

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/127286 Copy

Description

Title

The timing of adverse childhood experiences and adult attachment insecurity

Author(s)

Saxsma, Matthew Gregg

Issue Date

2024-12-12

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Fraley, Robert C

Doctoral Committee Chair(s)

Fraley, Robert C

Committee Member(s)

Roberts, Brent W

Department of Study

Psychology

Discipline

Psychology

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

• adverse childhood experiences
• adult attachment
• close relationships

Abstract

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) encompass a wide range of abuse, neglect, community violence, and household dysfunction that occur before the age of 18. ACEs are related to depression, anxiety disorders, and other mental and behavioral health indicators in adulthood. However, much of the research on ACEs is guided by a subtle, often untested, assumption. Specifically, ACEs are assumed to be especially consequential because they happen during childhood. We set out to test this assumption with respect to adult attachment insecurity with a multinational adult sample (N = 7,751). We fit linear models in which we regressed both attachment anxiety and avoidance on the age of first occurrence for 14 kinds of ACEs. We found that the age at which one is exposed to ACEs is generally unrelated to their general and romantic adult attachment insecurity. However, the age of first occurrence is related to parental attachment, such that experiencing ACEs at an earlier age is associated with higher parental attachment insecurity. Implications for the ACEs and attachment literatures are discussed.

Graduation Semester

2024-12

Type of Resource

Thesis

Handle URL

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/127286

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2024 Matthew Saxsma

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