Adverse childhood experiences (ACE) and adult attachment interview (AAI) in a non-clinical population |
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| Institution: | 1. Samford University, Department of Psychology, 800, Lakeshore, Dr. Birmingham, AL 35229, USA;2. Texas Christian University, Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development, TCU Box 298921, Fort Worth, TX 76129, USA |
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| Abstract: | Adverse childhood experiences (ACE) tend to be interrelated rather than independently occurring. There is a graded effect associated with ACE exposure and pathology, with an increase when ACE exposure is four or more. This study examined a sample of active individuals (n = 129) to determine distribution patterns and relationships between ACEs, attachment classification, unresolved mourning (U), and disclosure difficulty. The results of this study demonstrated a strong relationship between increased ACEs and greater unresolved mourning. Specifically, the group differences for individuals who experienced no ACE (n = 42, 33%), those with 1–3 ACEs (n = 48, 37.8%), and those with ≥4 ACEs (n = 37, 29.1%) revealed a pattern in which increased group ACE exposure was associated with greater lack of resolution for past trauma/loss experiences, more adult traumatic events, and more difficulty disclosing past trauma. Despite ≥4 ACEs, 51.4% of highly exposed individuals were classified as secure in the Adult Attachment Interview. Resilience in this group may be related to a combination of attachment security, college education, and engagement in meaningful activities. Likewise, adversity may actually encourage the cultivation of more social support, goal efficacy, and planning behaviors; factors that augment resilience to adversity. |
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| Keywords: | Adverse childhood experiences Adult attachment interview Disclosure Trauma Unresolved |
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