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Cited by 337Attachment and Relationship DynamicsChild Abuse and TraumaPsychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research

Childhood Emotional Abuse and the Attachment System Across the Life Cycle: What Theory and Research Tell Us

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Riggs, Shelley A.·2010·Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma
DOI 10.1080/10926770903475968
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Abstract

The purpose of this article is to review the theoretical and empirical literature regarding the normative development of the attachment system from infancy through adulthood, and then discuss deviations from the normal developmental pathways that occur in response to emotionally abusive parenting (e.g., strong rejection, intrusive or controlling, hostile, or frightening behavior). A theoretical model grounded in attachment theory is presented describing the development of maladaptive interaction patterns in adult romantic relationships. The model proposes that early emotional abuse engenders insecure attachment, which impairs emotional regulation, fosters negative views of self and others that support maladaptive coping responses, interferes with social functioning and the capacity for intimate adult attachments, contributes to poor mental health, and consequently shapes the quality of romantic relationships.

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  • Persons with a history of emotional abuse and neglect often develop an anxious (preoccupied) attachment style.

    “Clinically, persons with a history of emotional abuse and neglect often develop an anxious (preoccupied) attachment style [42–45], characterized by heightened sensitivity to rejection, difficulties with affect regulation, and persistent fears about the availability of close others [21].”

    From The link of adverse childhood experiences and attachment to maladaptive personality traits in adults diagnosed with substance use disorder (2025) · cites this paper as [43]

    In ‘Adult Attachment, Coping, and Mental Health’ (page unavailable), Riggs describes preoccupied adults who experienced inconsistent, controlling, or role-reversing parenting, supporting a possible link with adverse caregiving. But ‘Emotionally Abusive Caregiving’ says emotional abuse can lead to several insecure attachment patterns, and the Conclusion emphasizes fearful attachment; the paper does not establish that people with histories of emotional abuse and neglect often develop the specifically preoccupied style. (LLM, conf=0.86)

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Research works printed but not linked: 13

  1. Benoit, D., Zeanah, C., & Barton, M. (1989). Maternal attachment disturbances in failure to thrive. Infant Mental Health Journal, 10, 185-202.
  2. Bretherton, I. (1993). From dialogue to IWMs: The co-construction of self in rela- tionships. In C. A. Nelson (Ed.), Minnesota Symposium on Child Psychology: Vol. 26. Memory and affect in development (pp. 237-263). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
  3. Carlson, E. A., & Sroufe, L. A. (1995). Contributions of attachment theory to devel- opmental psychopathology. In E. Cicchetti & D. J. Cohen (Eds.), Developmen- tal psychopathology (Vol. 1, pp. 581-617). New York: Wiley.
  4. Dozier, M., Stovall, C., & Albus, K. (1999). Attachment and psychopathology in adulthood. In J. Cassidy & P. Shaver (Eds.), Handbook of attachment: Theory, research, and clinical applications (pp. 497-519). New York: Guilford.
  5. Elicker, J., Englund, M., & Sroufe, L. A. (1992). Predicting peer competence and peer relationships in childhood from early parent-child relationships. In R. Parke & G. Ladd (Eds.), Family-peer relationships: Modes of linkage (pp. 77-106).
  6. Hart, S. N., Brassard, M. R., Binggeli, N. J., & Davidson, H. A. (2002). Psychological maltreatment. In J. E. B. Myers, L. Berliner, J. Brier, C. T. Hendrix, C. Jenny, & T. A. Reid (Eds.), The APSAC handbook on child maltreatment (2nd ed.) (pp. 79-103). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
  7. Kestenbaum, R., Farber, E., & Sroufe, L. A. (1989). Individual differences in empa- thy among preschoolers' concurrent and predictive validity. In N. Eisenberg (Ed.), Empathy and related emotional responses: New directions for child devel- opment (pp. 51-56). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
  8. Lopez, F., Melendez, M., Sauer, E., Berger, E., & Wyssmann, J. (1998). IWMs, self- reported problems, and help-seeking attitudes among college students. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 45, 79-83.
  9. Main, M., & Solomon, J. (1986). Discovery of a new, insecure-disorganized/disori- ented attachment pattern. In T. B. Brazelton & M. Yogman (Eds.), Affective development in infancy (pp. 95-124). Westport, CT: Ablex.
  10. S. A. Riggs Personality Inventory-2. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 64, 273-281.
  11. Rosenstein, D. H., & Horowitz, H. A. (1996). Adolescent attachment and psychopa- thology. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 64, 244-253.
  12. Sroufe, L. A. (1983). Infant-caregiver attachment and patterns of adaptation in pre- school: The roots of maladaptation and competence. In M. Perlmutter (Ed.), Minnesota Symposia in Child Psychology: Vol. 16 (pp. 41-83). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
  13. Sroufe, L. A., & Fleeson, J. (1986). Attachment and the construction of relationships. In W. Hartup & Z. Rubin (Eds.), Relationships and development (pp. 51-72).

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Authors
Riggs, S. A.
Affiliations
University of North Texas (US)
Corresponding author
Riggs, Shelley A.
ORCID
Riggs, Shelley A.
Venue
Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Published
2010-01-13
Volume
19
Issue
1
Pages
5-51
ISSN
  • 1092-6771 (ISSN-L)
  • 1545-083X
DOI
10.1080/10926770903475968
OpenAlex
W2166672377
Cited by
336
References
222
Citations by year
2026: 27 · 2025: 48 · 2024: 23 · 2023: 29 · 2022: 19 · 2021: 23 · 2020: 29 · 2019: 17 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 19 · 2015: 14 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 16 · 2012: 14
FWCI
21.43
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
Journal of Aggression Maltreatment & Trauma (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child Abuse and Trauma
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research
Keywords
childhood emotional abuse, insecure attachment, adult romantic relationships, emotion regulation, maladaptive coping, mental health, attachment theory, life cycle development

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