Caregiver's emotional neglect during childhood and adult attachment: Their influence on the clinical symptomatology of children under their care undergoing treatment for sexual abuse

Background

Caregivers of children who have experienced sexual abuse often exhibit a higher prevalence of insecure attachments and early adverse experiences in childhood, which may influence the psychological symptoms presented in children.

Objective

Evaluate the role of attachment pattern of non-offending caregivers in the relationship between their own experiences of emotional neglect during childhood and the clinical symptomatology in children under their care undergoing treatment for sexual abuse. Participants and Setting: This study evaluated the role of attachment in the relationship between experiences of childhood emotional neglect in 78 caregivers and clinical symptomatology in children aged 4 to 9 undergoing treatment for sexual abuse.

Methods

A quantitative cross-sectional and correlational study was conducted, with moderation analysis. The relationship between emotional neglect (CTQ) and child symptomatology (SDQ) was analyzed, evaluating the moderating role of caregiver attachment avoidance and anxiety (ECR).

Findings

The results showed a 50 % prevalence of dismissive or avoidant attachments and a 12 % prevalence of caregivers with significant experiences of childhood emotional neglect. Positive associations were found between the caregiver's emotional neglect and children's symptoms, as well as between the caregiver's attachment avoidance and children's symptoms. The association between emotional neglect and children's symptoms was observed when caregivers exhibited moderate and low levels of avoidance.

Conclusion

These results alert us about the importance of including caregiver variables for understanding and treating childhood sexual abuse, as well as for exploring possible mechanisms associated with intergenerational trauma.