Recollection of childhood trauma changes according to the shift in individual attachment rather than psychiatric diagnosis

Abstract

• Baseline scores of abuse and neglect predicts follow up scores. • Attachment changes is linked with recollection of abuse and neglect at follow-up. • Lower attachment anxiety is associated with more recollection of abuse and neglect. • Lower attachment anxiety and avoidance decrease recollection of abuse and neglect. Childhood trauma (CT) has been linked to the development of various mental disorders. While traumatic history cannot be reversed, the shift in its perception can have significant implications. This study investigates how changes in the severity of attachment insecurity, depression and social anxiety influence CT trauma recollection one year later. Individuals with major depressive disorder with or without comorbid anxiety as well as controls were included ( N = 76). Participants completed questionnaires on attachment, depression, social anxiety, and CT at baseline and one year later. Multivariable linear regressions were used to explore the associations. Baseline scores of emotional abuse, physical neglect, and sexual abuse were significant predictors of their respective follow up scores ( p <0.01). Interaction terms of the changes between two attachment dimensions were significantly associated with recollection of emotional abuse, physical neglect, and total trauma at follow-up. When attachment avoidance increased, a decrease in attachment anxiety was associated with increases in recollection of emotional abuse, physical neglect, and total trauma ( p <0.001). Decreases in both attachment anxiety and avoidance were significantly associated with a reduction in the recollection of emotional abuse, physical neglect, and total trauma ( p <0.001). Treatments used in each group was not collected and there was no corroboration with respect to accuracy of events reported on the CT. Our results suggest that improving both dimensions of attachment insecurity will influence the reappraisal of CT towards a less traumatic perception. This shift in the narrative is likely to promote resilience and recovery in patients with CT.