Abstract:
The application of attachment theory to the study of sexual abuse has provided a useful
conceptual framework for understanding the familial antecedents and long term consequences
of sexual abuse. Themes associated with insecure parent-child attachment are frequently found
in the dynamics of families characterised by sexual abuse and specific categories of sequelae
are related to probable attachment experiences. The present study hypothesized that there
would be a higher amount of secure attachment in the normal population (university students),
and a higher amount of insecure attachment styles among the sexually abused population.
Moreover, it was predicted that there would be significantly greater parental warmth and
affection remembered by the normal sample, as opposed to the clinical group, in which there
would be a more controlling and intrusive parenting style remembered.
Finally, a correlation between progress in therapy and attachment style, i.e. that there was
more progress in therapy among individuals with secure attachment styles and vice versa, was
expected.
University students (normal sample, N=51) and sexual abuse survivors in therapy (clinical
sample, N=41) completed a questionnaire made up of three attachment measures; the
Relationship Questionnaire (Bartholomew & Horowitz, 1991 ); the Relationship Scales
Questionnaire (Bartholomew & Horowitz.1991); and the Parental Bonding Instrument (Parker,
Tupling & Brown, 1979). Progress in therapy was assessed using a visual analogue scale.
The results demonstrated an association between attachment style and the two groups. The
clinical group was more insecurely attached than the student group which followed patterns of
attachment found overseas. Moreover, support was found for the hypothesis that parental style
would differ in the two populations. However, no support was found for the hypothesis that
progress in therapy was influenced by attachment style.
