Attachment Insecurity and Self-Compassion in the Cycle of Violence
Faculty Mentor
Sara Haden
Major/Area of Research
Clinical Psychology
Description
INTRODUCTION: The cycle of violence refers to the increased risk of violence in adulthood when there is a history of childhood trauma. The extent to which the attachment system and self-compassion are implicated has not been studied. Insecure attachment styles are thought to increase the risk of interpersonal violence (IPV), while self-compassion is thought to prevent the cycle.
METHOD: The present study was conducted to test a model predicting adult IPV victimization and perpetration. 525 adults (92% with early childhood trauma, 87% endorsing IPV perpetration, and 89% endorsing IPV victimization) completed measures on their early trauma and IPV experiences, insecure attachment styles, and degree of self-compassion.
RESULTS: The model accounted for 13.11% of variance in IPV and demonstrated an excellent fit to the data. Significant direct effects between childhood trauma and IPV (b = .55, 95% CI [.23, .40]), self-compassion (b = .15, 95% CI [.07, .23]), attachment anxiety (b = .26, 95% CI [.18, .34]), attachment avoidance (b = .19, 95% CI [.11, .28]) were found. Anxious attachment also predicted an increase in self-compassion (b = .43, 95% CI [.35, .52]). Contrary to expectations, self-compassion predicted significant increases in IPV (b = .11, 95% CI [.02, .19]). Childhood trauma indirectly predicted IPV due to increases in both anxiety and self-compassion (b = .01, 95% CI [.00, .02]). Attachment avoidance did not significantly explain the path between childhood trauma and IPV. Some differences between men and women were also found.
CONCLUSION/DISCUSSION: Results highlight the role of the attachment system, particularly anxious attachment, in the cycle of violence and the risk of self-compassion. Implications regarding the risks associated with attachment insecurity and self-compassion in the cycle are discussed.
Attachment Insecurity and Self-Compassion in the Cycle of Violence
INTRODUCTION: The cycle of violence refers to the increased risk of violence in adulthood when there is a history of childhood trauma. The extent to which the attachment system and self-compassion are implicated has not been studied. Insecure attachment styles are thought to increase the risk of interpersonal violence (IPV), while self-compassion is thought to prevent the cycle.
METHOD: The present study was conducted to test a model predicting adult IPV victimization and perpetration. 525 adults (92% with early childhood trauma, 87% endorsing IPV perpetration, and 89% endorsing IPV victimization) completed measures on their early trauma and IPV experiences, insecure attachment styles, and degree of self-compassion.
RESULTS: The model accounted for 13.11% of variance in IPV and demonstrated an excellent fit to the data. Significant direct effects between childhood trauma and IPV (b = .55, 95% CI [.23, .40]), self-compassion (b = .15, 95% CI [.07, .23]), attachment anxiety (b = .26, 95% CI [.18, .34]), attachment avoidance (b = .19, 95% CI [.11, .28]) were found. Anxious attachment also predicted an increase in self-compassion (b = .43, 95% CI [.35, .52]). Contrary to expectations, self-compassion predicted significant increases in IPV (b = .11, 95% CI [.02, .19]). Childhood trauma indirectly predicted IPV due to increases in both anxiety and self-compassion (b = .01, 95% CI [.00, .02]). Attachment avoidance did not significantly explain the path between childhood trauma and IPV. Some differences between men and women were also found.
CONCLUSION/DISCUSSION: Results highlight the role of the attachment system, particularly anxious attachment, in the cycle of violence and the risk of self-compassion. Implications regarding the risks associated with attachment insecurity and self-compassion in the cycle are discussed.