Care leavers: the role of attachment and early maladaptive schemas on maladaptive coping following childhood abuse

Abstract

Childhood abuse has been shown to have significant negative consequences on psychological wellbeing and functioning, and attachment style has been proposed as a mediator in such relationships. The literature has recognised maladaptive coping as a consequence of both childhood abuse and attachment insecurity. A systematic review of the literature examined the role of attachment and coping in individuals who have experienced childhood abuse. Results indicated significant relationships between childhood abuse and both attachment insecurity and maladaptive coping. Attachment style consistently mediated the relationship between childhood abuse and maladaptive coping. The influence of different categories of abuse and attachment figures was also observed. Methodological issues highlight the need for further research. Clinical implications are also discussed.

Prevalence rates for childhood abuse and attachment insecurity are high in the care leaver population. Although Early Maladaptive Schemas and maladaptive coping are associated with these factors, they have not been examined within this population. The empirical paper used a cross sectional design to examine the role that attachment and Early Maladaptive Schemas play in the relationship between childhood abuse and maladaptive coping. Self-report measures were completed by 53 care leavers, identifying high rates of childhood abuse, attachment insecurity, Early Maladaptive Schemas and maladaptive coping. Maladaptive coping was predicted by childhood abuse, attachment anxiety and Early Maladaptive Schemas, but not attachment avoidance. There were indirect effect of childhood abuse on maladaptive coping through attachment anxiety and the disconnection and rejection schema domain. Further research is needed to replicate and generalise the findings, however results highlight the importance of providing targeted psychological interventions to this population.

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