The relationship between childhood adversity, attachment, and internalizing behaviors in a diversion program for child-to-mother violence

Child Abuse Negl. 2017 Oct:72:266-275. doi: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2017.08.015. Epub 2017 Sep 14.

Abstract

Very little research has been conducted on the role of childhood adversity in child-to-parent violence. Childhood adversity places youth at risk for internalizing behaviors (i.e. anxiety and depression) and externalizing behaviors (i.e. aggression). The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between childhood adversity, child-mother attachment, and internalizing behaviors among a sample of 80 youth who have been arrested for domestic battery against a mother. This study reported high prevalence rates of childhood adversity (mean score of 10 out of 17 events). Multiple regression analysis indicated that insecure attachment predicted depression among females (F(6, 73)=4.87, p<0.001), and previous experience with child maltreatment and/or witness to parental violence predicted anxiety among females (F(6, 73)=3.08, p<0.01). This study is the first study to explore childhood adversity among a sample of perpetrators of child-to-mother violence and notably adds to our understanding of the multiple pathways connecting childhood adversity, child-mother attachment, and depression and anxiety among a difficult to treat youth population.

Keywords: Anxiety; Child-to-mother attachment; Child-to-parent violence; Childhood adversity; Depression.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Aggression
  • Anxiety
  • Child
  • Child Abuse / psychology*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Depression
  • Exposure to Violence / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Judicial Role
  • Juvenile Delinquency / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Male
  • Mother-Child Relations*
  • Object Attachment*
  • Prevalence
  • Regression Analysis
  • Southeastern United States
  • Violence*