Author(s): Silva, Alexandra ; Ferreira, Simão ; Silva Pinto, Élia ; Rocha, Susana Aguiar ; Barbosa-Rocha, Nuno
Date: 2023
Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.26/44041
Origin: Escola Superior de Saúde do Alcoitão
Subject(s): Attachment; Sensory over-responsability; Traumatic childhood experiences
Child abuse portrays health and well-being issues that can last for several years, including altering interpersonal behavior. Evidence has shown that these early negative experiences may cause changes in sensory modulation. This study aimed to understand if sensory over-responsivity (SOR) plays an important role in mediating the association between childhood abuse (emotional abuse, emotional neglect, sexual abuse, physical abuse, physical neglect) and attachment-related anxiety or avoidance in adult romantic relationships. An online survey was conducted to exam ine these associations in a Portuguese community sample (N = 500) aged 18–62 years. The presented mediation models shown a higher mediation percentage for attachment-related anxiety rather than avoidance. All variables predicted the mediator, except sexual abuse which did not predict the overall model when the mediator was included. Our results have implications for individual treatment approaches regarding child abuse victims and can certainly influence intervention strategies.
