Mental health articles

the relationship between attachment and risk of sexual abuse At the level of the child, the child’s attachment status is probably a risk factor, although it is obviously affected by the caregiver’s attachment status. Securely attached children have internal representational models of positive images of both self and other (Bowlby, 1988; Paterson & Moran, 1988). These children are most likely to seek out attachment figures upon stress (Main, Kaplan, & Cassidy, 1985) and, because of their representational models, may be most likely to accurately assess cues. As a result, these children may be at less risk of sexual abuse. Insecurely attached children, however, may be at increased risk of sexual abuse. Because insecurely attached individuals have negative self or other internal representational models (Bowlby, 1988), they may be less likely to accurately assess cues for dangerous situations or individuals within their environment. The type of attachment status might also be important. Ambivalently attached individuals have negative self models but positive other models (Bartholomew & Horowitz, 1991). These children tend to be needy and clingy with their attachment figures (Bowlby, 1988; Sroufe & Fleeson, 1986). As such, they may be at greater risk of abuse by offenders who purposefully entice them into relationships in which some of their relational needs are met. Avoidantly attached individuals, on the other hand, have positive self models but negative models of others. Their tendency to identify with aggressive behavior (Bowlby, 1988; Renken, Egeland, Marvinney, Mangelsdorf, & Sroufe, 1989) may place them at greater risk of abuse in which the offender entices the child through his or her perceived power. Disorganized children, who as adults have negative self and other models (Bartholomew & Horowitz, 1991), may be at greater risk for all types of approaches. While no known studies have examined these issues in children who are sexually abused, some studies in the area of child abuse and neglect have been completed. An interesting study by Troy and Sroufe (1987) found that relational patterns among children had implications for understanding relationships. In this study, children ages four and five with different attachment patterns were paired. Children with secure attachments were least likely to be bullied or victimized by other children. When victimization occurred, however, ambivalently attached children were most likely to be victimized, whereas avoidantly attached children were most likely to be the aggressors. To better understand the relationship between attachment and risk of sexual abuse, prospective studies are necessary.

Tags: sexual abuse