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Attachment and Psychopathology Among Formerly Maltreated Adults

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships of attachment security and psychopathology in an adult sample of high-risk abuse survivors. Attachment security was conceptualized in terms of two underlying dimensions, the working models of self and other. A sample of 66 survivors of childhood maltreatment completed measures of abuse history, attachment style, and psychopathology. Results demonstrated a strong relationship between a negative view of self and reported psychopathology, regardless of whether attachment was conceptualized continuously or categorically. Findings also revealed that the association of negative view of self and psychopathology was much stronger than that of negative view of other and psychopathology.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Robert T. Muller, Kathryn E. Lemieux & Lisa A. Sicoli

  2. LaMarsh Center for Research on Violence and Conflict Resolution, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Robert T. Muller, Kathryn E. Lemieux & Lisa A. Sicoli

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  1. Robert T. Muller
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  2. Kathryn E. Lemieux
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Correspondence to Robert T. Muller.

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Muller, R.T., Lemieux, K.E. & Sicoli, L.A. Attachment and Psychopathology Among Formerly Maltreated Adults. Journal of Family Violence 16, 151–169 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011158919303

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