When love hurts: the mediating effects of internal attribution, perpetrator forgiveness, and current perceived interpersonal support on the relationship between childhood sexual abuse and adult intimate attachment

<p>The purposes of this exploratory study were (a) to provide support for the relationship between childhood and/or adolescent maltreatment, especially sexual abuse, and adult intimate attachment, (b) determine mediating factors of the relationship between childhood and/or adolescent maltreatment and adult attachment, and (c) explore relationships among these potential mediating variables. Rowan University introductory psychology students between the ages of 18-24 (21 males and 24 females) completed written measures assessing childhood and/or adolescent maltreatment, current perceived family relationship, internal attribution for sexual abuse, positive childhood experiences, depression, current perceived interpersonal support, forgiveness, and adult intimate attachment. Participants endorsed multiple maltreatment experiences in the low to moderate severity range. Correlations provided support for a high co-occurrence of multiple abuse experiences. Participants who experienced psychological abuse, neglect, and physical abuse also perceived less support and possessed high levels of fearful attachment. Positive appraisal of family relationship was related to higher levels of support and secure attachment. Regressions revealed adult attachment predicted social support and vice versa. Levels of family conflict predicted fearful attachment. Participants who endorsed high levels of fearful attachment also endorsed similar levels of both dismissive and preoccupied attachment patterns. Implications for these findings in clinical practice are discussed.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

M.A. in Mental Health Counseling and Applied Psychology

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Year dc:date.available

2008

Author dc:creator

• Williams, Crystal V.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Kerwin, Mary Louise

• Child sexual abuse; Intimacy (Psychology)
• Psychology

Repository record dc:identifier

https://rdw.rowan.edu/etd/764

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:rdw.rowan.edu:etd-1761