An Attachment-Based Model of the Relationship Between Childhood Adversity and Somatization in Children and Adults.
Title | An Attachment-Based Model of the Relationship Between Childhood Adversity and Somatization in Children and Adults. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2017 |
Authors | Maunder RG, Hunter JJ, Atkinson L, Steiner M, Wazana A, Fleming AS, Moss E, Gaudreau H, Meaney MJ, Levitan RD |
Journal | Psychosom Med |
Volume | 79 |
Issue | 5 |
Pagination | 506-513 |
Date Published | 2017 Jun |
ISSN | 1534-7796 |
Abstract | OBJECTIVE: An attachment model was used to understand how maternal sensitivity and adverse childhood experiences are related to somatization.METHODS: We examined maternal sensitivity at 6 and 18 months and somatization at 5 years in 292 children in a longitudinal cohort study. We next examined attachment insecurity and somatization (health anxiety, physical symptoms) in four adult cohorts: healthy primary care patients (AC1, n = 67), ulcerative colitis in remission (AC2, n = 100), hospital workers (AC3, n = 157), and paramedics (AC4, n = 188). Recall of childhood adversity was measured in AC3 and AC4. Attachment insecurity was tested as a possible mediator between childhood adversity and somatization in AC3 and AC4.RESULTS: In children, there was a significant negative relationship between maternal sensitivity at 18 months and somatization at age 5 years (B = -3.52, standard error = 1.16, t = -3.02, p = .003), whereas maternal sensitivity at 6 months had no significant relationship. In adults, there were consistent, significant relationships between attachment insecurity and somatization, with the strongest findings for attachment anxiety and health anxiety (AC1, β = 0.51; AC2, β = 0.43). There was a significant indirect effect of childhood adversity on physical symptoms mediated by attachment anxiety in AC3 and AC4.CONCLUSIONS: Deficits in maternal sensitivity at 18 months of age are related to the emergence of somatization by age 5 years. Adult attachment insecurity is related to somatization. Insecure attachment may partially mediate the relationship between early adversity and somatization. |
DOI | 10.1097/PSY.0000000000000437 |
Alternate Journal | Psychosom Med |
PubMed ID | 27941580 |