Childhood Sexual Abuse And Attachment Problems In Adulthood
Childhood abuse affects millions of children around the world There are commonly spoken of 4 types of abuse: physical, sexual, emotional and neglect. All of them are the cause of great physical and/or psychological discomfort. In general, child sexual abuse is a serious public health problem that interferes with the development of the victim who suffers it, causing short and long-term repercussions throughout the person’s entire biopsychosocial sphere.
Child sexual abuse refers to the set of sexual behaviors established between two people, one of them being a minor, so that there is a situation of inequality, for reasons of age or power, and in which the minor is used for the sexual stimulation of the other person (López, 1997). Abusive behaviors include physical contact (genital, anal or oral), or involve using the minor as an object of sexual stimulation by the aggressor (exhibitionism or voyeurism) or by third parties (Madansky, 1996).
Prevalence rates are around 13%-15%. These rates are higher in girls, although the impact is equally harmful for both sexes. It has been detected that the age of greatest vulnerability is between 7 and 13 years of age and that in 70 and 90% of cases it is committed by men, middle-aged and, frequently, relatives or acquaintances of the victim. .
Bond and attachment styles
The development and quality of early relationships are important aspects in the socio-emotional development, personality and mental health of people. In this sense, attachment is defined as the biological bond established between the baby and the primary caregiver(s), who is seen as a secure base from which the child can explore the environment and return when he or she perceives that there is something danger (Bowlby 1969/1982).
These links allow children to develop internal working models from which they create expectations about the possibility of receiving support and how to get it. They influence individual emotions, expectations and adult relationships and help individuals cope with stressful situations.
There are 4 types of attachment styles: secure attachment and insecure attachment, within which we find the avoidant, the anxious-ambivalent and the disorganized-disoriented.
Secure attachment occurs when the primary caregiver responds to the child’s distress consistently, promoting trust in the relationship. On the other hand, an avoidant attachment develops when distress is ignored or there is persistent rejection.
The anxious style develops when caregivers respond to the baby’s distress inconsistently, the child presents difficulties trusting the caregiver’s availability to satisfy their needs and high levels of anxiety.
Finally, the disorganized-disoriented style, the baby shows disorganized and/or disoriented behaviors in the presence of the mother.
The family environment that parents create around their children in the early years It can help or hinder your future social relationships. When secure attachment bonds are established, they help children become more socially competent. Attachment provides emotional security for adequate personality development, self-esteem and subsequent emotional regulation.
Repercussions of sexual abuse on the attachment bond
The impact that sexual abuse has on attachment is established in childhood and remains stable into adulthood
Frequently, children exposed to parental violence do not have their basic needs met and their caregivers are less available, which implies a higher prevalence of insecure attachment compared to children who grow up in an adequate family environment. When those responsible for the abuse are the parents themselves, 80% of the cases, the ability to establish intimate and trusting relationships is more damaged since the person who must protect and care for is the one who harms.
Insecure attachment styles in adults are associated with different psychological problems (substance use, alcohol abuse, criminal behavior, emotional and anxiety disorders, low self-esteem, etc.) and health.
However, victims of sexual abuse also present difficulties on a social level, including sexual and marital problems in adulthood, behavioral problems and somatic problems (chronic general pain, gastrointestinal disorders, eating disorders, sleep disorders and attention difficulties, memory and concentration).
