Citation

Fitzgerald M, Kawar C. J. Trauma Dissociation 2021; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/15299732.2021.1989120

PMID

34689700

Abstract

Childhood maltreatment has been consistently associated with adult symptoms of depression, anxiety, and dissociation, and attachment has been proposed as one mediator. Attachment, however, tends to only partially mediate the association, and mindfulness may be another explanatory pathway. The current study examined mindfulness and attachment in a multiple mediator model linking maltreatment to adult symptoms of depression, anxiety, and dissociation. A sample of 232 adults were recruited from two universities and an online sample who completed an online survey. Using structural equation modeling, childhood maltreatment was indirectly associated to symptoms of depression (ß = .104; 95% CI [.015,.193]), anxiety (ß = .090; 95% CI [.014,.166]), and dissociation (ß = .088; 95% CI [.006,.170]) through mindfulness. Additionally, childhood maltreatment was associated with symptoms of depression (ß = .062; 95% CI [.007,.118]), anxiety (ß = .074; 95% CI [.009,.139]), and dissociation (ß = .069; 95% CI [.017,.121]) through attachment avoidance. No significant indirect effects were found through attachment anxiety. These findings indicate that both mindfulness and attachment may be explanatory pathways linking childhood maltreatment. Inclusion of both attachment and mindfulness provides a more robust theoretical understanding of how maltreatment is associated with adult mental health.

Language: en

Keywords

anxiety; depression; attachment; mindfulness; Childhood maltreatment; dissociation