Relationship Between Childhood Trauma And Adult Attachment Styles

Abstract

The present correlational study investigated the association between childhood trauma experiences and adult attachment dimensions. Data were collected from 200 adults residing in urban and semi-urban areas of Kerala, India, using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and the Adult Attachment Scale (AAS). The AAS assessed attachment dimensions of closeness, dependence, and anxiety, while the CTQ measured emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional neglect, and physical neglect. Pearson’s correlation analysis was employed to examine the relationships between childhood trauma and adult attachment dimensions. The findings revealed weak positive associations between childhood trauma and attachment dimensions; however, none of these relationships were statistically significant. These results highlight the complexity of attachment formation and suggest that childhood trauma alone may not be a reliable predictor of adult attachment patterns. The study underscores the need for further research to better understand the long-term psychological effects of childhood trauma and to inform interventions aimed at enhancing emotional well-being and resilience.