Child sexual abuse and attachment problems in adulthood

Childhood abuse affects millions of children around the world. Commonly there are 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 victim who suffers it, causing short and long-term repercussions in the entire biopsychosocial sphere of the person.

• Related article: "Attachment Theory and the bond between parents and children"

Child sexual abuse

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 the use of the minor as an object of sexual stimulation by the aggressor (exhibitionism or voyeurism) or third parties (Madansky, 1996).

Prevalence rates are around 13-15%. These rates are higher in girls, although the impact is just as damaging 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 the cases are committed by men, middle-aged and, frequently, relatives or acquaintances of the victim.

• You may be interested: "The different forms of child abuse"

Bond and attachment styles

The development and quality of early relationships are important aspects in the social-emotional development, of the personality and of the mental health of the people. In this sense, attachment is defined as the biological bond that is established between the baby and the primary caregiver / is, who is seen as a secure base from which the child can explore the environment and return when she perceives 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, avoidant attachment develops when distress is ignored or there is persistent rejection.

Anxious style develops when caregivers respond to the baby's distress inconsistently, the child presents Difficulty trusting the availability of the caregiver to satisfy her 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 make or break your future social relationships. When secure attachment bonds are established, they help children to be more competent on a social level. Attachment provides emotional security for proper development of personality, 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.

Often, children exposed to parental violence do not have basic needs covered and their caregivers are less available, which implies a higher prevalence of insecure attachment compared to children who grow up in a family environment suitable. When those responsible for the abuse are the parents themselves, 80% of the cases, the ability to establish intimate and trusting relationships are further impaired, since the person who must protect and care is the one who harms.

Insecure attachment styles in adults are associated with different psychological problems (substance use, alcohol abuse, criminal behavior, affective and anxiety disorders, low self-esteem, etc.) and health.

However, victims of sexual abuse also present difficulties at the social level, including sexual and marital problems in adulthood, behavioral and at the level of somatic (general chronic pain, gastrointestinal disturbances, eating disturbances, sleep disturbances and difficulties in attention, memory and concentration).

Author: Tamara Garrido, Psychologist.