Unresolved Attachment, PTSD, and Dissociation in Women With
Childhood Abuse Histories
K. Chase Stovall-McClough and Marylene Cloitre
New York University
The primary objective of this study was to examine unresolved trauma as assessed by the Adult
Attachment Interview and current psychiatric symptoms, focusing on posttraumatic stress disorder
(PTSD) and dissociation, in a group of adult female childhood abuse survivors. The authors examined
psychiatric symptoms and attachment representations in a group with (n 30) and without (n 30)
abuse-related PTSD. The findings revealed that unresolved trauma carried a 7.5-fold increase in the
likelihood of being diagnosed with PTSD and was most strongly associated with PTSD avoidant
symptoms rather than dissociative symptoms. The utility of a PTSD framework for understanding
unresolved trauma and the role of intentional avoidance of trauma cues in the maintenance of traumatized
states of mind are discussed.
Keywords: attachment, unresolved attachment, childhood abuse, posttraumatic stress disorder
Until recently, trauma theory and attachment theory have de-
veloped along relatively independent lines. Trauma theory and
research have proliferated primarily within a cognitive–behavioral
framework, whereas attachment theory and research have flour-
ished within psychodynamic and developmental disciplines. A
shared dialogue is needed between these scientific communities,
however, as there is no empirical work addressing the conse-
quences of childhood abuse for both adult attachment organization
and psychopathology, particularly traumatic stress symptoms. This
is surprising given that a number of studies have begun to suggest
an association between childhood trauma, disorganized infant at-
tachment, unresolved adult attachment, and clinical symptoms in
childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood (e.g., E. A. Carlson,
1998; V. Carlson, Cicchetti, Barnett, & Braunwald, 1989; Lyons-
Ruth, Easterbrooks, &... [continues]
Childhood Abuse Histories
K. Chase Stovall-McClough and Marylene Cloitre
New York University
The primary objective of this study was to examine unresolved trauma as assessed by the Adult
Attachment Interview and current psychiatric symptoms, focusing on posttraumatic stress disorder
(PTSD) and dissociation, in a group of adult female childhood abuse survivors. The authors examined
psychiatric symptoms and attachment representations in a group with (n 30) and without (n 30)
abuse-related PTSD. The findings revealed that unresolved trauma carried a 7.5-fold increase in the
likelihood of being diagnosed with PTSD and was most strongly associated with PTSD avoidant
symptoms rather than dissociative symptoms. The utility of a PTSD framework for understanding
unresolved trauma and the role of intentional avoidance of trauma cues in the maintenance of traumatized
states of mind are discussed.
Keywords: attachment, unresolved attachment, childhood abuse, posttraumatic stress disorder
Until recently, trauma theory and attachment theory have de-
veloped along relatively independent lines. Trauma theory and
research have proliferated primarily within a cognitive–behavioral
framework, whereas attachment theory and research have flour-
ished within psychodynamic and developmental disciplines. A
shared dialogue is needed between these scientific communities,
however, as there is no empirical work addressing the conse-
quences of childhood abuse for both adult attachment organization
and psychopathology, particularly traumatic stress symptoms. This
is surprising given that a number of studies have begun to suggest
an association between childhood trauma, disorganized infant at-
tachment, unresolved adult attachment, and clinical symptoms in
childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood (e.g., E. A. Carlson,
1998; V. Carlson, Cicchetti, Barnett, & Braunwald, 1989; Lyons-
Ruth, Easterbrooks, &... [continues]
Cite This Essay
- APA
-
(2011, 09). Unresolved Attachment, Ptsd, and Dissociation in Women with Childhood Abuse Histories. StudyMode.com. Retrieved 09, 2011, from http://www.studymode.com/essays/Unresolved-Attachment-Ptsd-And-Dissociation-In-766589.html
- MLA
-
"Unresolved Attachment, Ptsd, and Dissociation in Women with Childhood Abuse Histories" StudyMode.com. 09 2011. 09 2011 <http://www.studymode.com/essays/Unresolved-Attachment-Ptsd-And-Dissociation-In-766589.html>.
- CHICAGO
-
"Unresolved Attachment, Ptsd, and Dissociation in Women with Childhood Abuse Histories." StudyMode.com. 09, 2011. Accessed 09, 2011. http://www.studymode.com/essays/Unresolved-Attachment-Ptsd-And-Dissociation-In-766589.html.
