The role of multiple attachments in intergenerational transmission of child sexual abuse among male victims.

BACKGROUND: According to Finkelhor (1984), difficulties child sexual abusers have in establishing adaptive adult relationships are a consequence of attachment problems with parents. Research shows that insecure attachment is associated with both the experience of child sexual abuse (CSA) as a victim and perpetration of CSA as an adult. Attachment may thus be a key factor in intergenerational transmission (IT) of CSA. OBJECTIVE: The study aims to examine the direct, interactive, and mediated effects linking attachment in different relationships (mother, father, romantic partner) to IT of CSA among male victims. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Thirty-two abusing and 27 non-abusing male CSA survivors were recruited, respectively, in a prison and via networks of former foster children or CSA victims. METHOD: All participants completed the Attachment Multiple Model Interview to assess attachment along four dimensions (security, deactivation, hyperactivation, and disorganization) in the relationship with mother, father, and partner. RESULTS: Partial least square modeling suggests that the partner carries forward (mediates) the increased risk of committing sexual abuse associated with insecure/disorganized attachment with the father. A significant partner-mother interaction also suggests that the deleterious effects of attachment to the mother in terms of committing CSA are countered by more secure/organized attachment to the partner. CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight the pivotal role of the romantic partner in IT of CSA. Beyond early intervention, therapy in adulthood aimed at fostering adaptive ways of finding emotional security in the relationship with an adult could thus be encouraged.

The role of attachment to the foster parent with regard to suicidal risk among adult survivors of childhood maltreatment.

BACKGROUND: Childhood maltreatment is associated with an increased risk of insecure/disorganized attachment and in turn with suicidal risk (SR). Out-of-family placement is aimed at interrupting child exposure to further abuse and at providing the necessary security for proper development via the establishment of an alternative attachment relationship. However, the actual protective role of this type of care is not clear given the high rates of SR among institutionalized or foster children. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine whether 1) attachment to the biological parents mediates the association between abuse and SR and 2) attachment to a foster parent (whether from a foster home or an institution) moderates the effect of attachment to biological parents on SR. PARTICIPANTS: The sample consisted of 77 adults (52 female; 25 male; mean age: 26.6 years) who received out-of-home care during childhood. METHOD: The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (for SR) were used. The Attachment Multiple Model Interview was also administered to assess attachment to each biological parent and to the foster parent. RESULTS: Results show that attachment (security and disorganization) to the biological mother mediates the link between abuse and SR and that attachment to the foster parent moderates the link between attachment to the biological mother and SR. CONCLUSIONS: Findings point to the importance of interventions aimed at supporting the establishment of a secure attachment relationship between children in care and their foster parents.