The DOI matches its Crossref record; 226 of the 226 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Childhood Emotional Abuse and the Attachment System Across the Life Cycle: What Theory and Research Tell Us
Open accessAbstract
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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“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]
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Cited by
Sorted by citations
Miller, A. B., Esposito-Smythers, C. L., Weismoore, J. T., & Renshaw, K. D. (2013) · Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review · doi:10.1007/s10567-013-0131-5 · Cited by 444
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Emotion Dysregulation and Negative Affect
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Metadata
- 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
- 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
- bronze
- doi.org
- 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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