Inducing traumatic attachment in adults with a history of child abuse: forensic applications

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in Sexually Abused Children: Secure Attachment as a Protective Factor

The aim of the present study was to examine the hypothesis that attachment and childhood sexual abuse (CSA) interacted such that school aged CSA survivors with insecure attachment to parents would be at an elevated risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and trauma symptoms. Participants (n = 111, ages 7-12) comprised two groups, child CSA survivors (n = 43) and a matched comparison group of children (n = 68) recruited from the community. Children completed the Child Attachment Interview (CAI) as well as the Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children (TSCC). There was a significant interaction between sexual abuse history and attachment security, such that sexually abused children with insecure attachment representations had significantly more PTSD and trauma symptoms than sexually abused children with secure attachment to parents. The findings show that using a dual lens of attachment and CSA can facilitate the identification of children most at risk and has important implications for understanding risk and resilience processes.

The Relationship Between Childhood Maltreatment and Violence to Others in Individuals With Psychosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

There is a growing body of literature identifying a relationship between experiences of child abuse and symptoms of psychosis in adults. However, the impact of this relationship on risk of violence has not been systematically explored.

AIMS

This meta-analysis aimed to consider the influence of childhood abuse on the risk of violence among individuals with psychosis.

METHOD

Five bibliographic databases and two gray literature resources were systematically searched to identify quantitative research which measured risk of violence and experiences of childhood maltreatment in individuals with psychosis. Risk of bias for each study was assessed under predefined criteria. Logged odds ratios (OR) were synthesized quantitatively in a meta-analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 6,298 studies were identified, 11 of which were included in the final analysis (N = 2,215), all studies were of a cross-sectional or case-control design. Individuals with psychotic illnesses who reported historical child maltreatment were at approximately twice the risk of perpetrating violence than patients who reported no early abuse, OR = 2.46, 95% confidence interval (CI) = [1.91, 3.16]. There was no statistical heterogeneity between main effects (τ = .00; χ² = 8.87, df = 10, p = .54, I² = 0%).

DISCUSSION

Risk assessments and interventions may benefit from considering the unique contribution of trauma to violence in this population. Future research considering the interaction between childhood experiences and other risk factors for violence in this population, including specific symptoms of psychosis, would inform the current findings. Findings are limited by the lack of longitudinal research in this area, and there was some evidence of publication bias.

Post-traumatic stress disorder and attachment: possible links with borderline personality disorder

This article discusses the aetiology of both simple and complex post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSDs) in terms of attachment theory, and points out the similarities between the diagnosis of complex PTSD and of borderline personality disorder. Case vignettes illustrate an outline of the assessment and treatment of the psychobiological symptoms of PTSD informed by attachment research.

Mass violence and mental health: attachment and trauma

This article focuses on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as both one of the most important mental health consequences of mass violence and as the manifestation of a disrupted human attachment system. The implications are many in terms of treatment and prevention. For instance, since the vulnerability to PTSD appears to be transmitted down the generations via the psychobiological manifestations of the parents' attachment system, prevention requires the effective treatment of afflicted communities within a context of strong social support. More specific guidelines for intervention are outlined focusing on the role of psychosocial workers and their need to be carefully selected, trained and supervised. Failure to tackle the effects of mass violence and to prevent further psychological damage through political action has serious implications in terms of the future of mankind.