The Effect of Adverse and Positive Childhood Experiences, Attachment, and Emotional Support on Adult Mental Health

Abstract

Introduction: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can contribute to significant health issues in adulthood. Aims: The present study seeks to understand the role of attachment and positive childhood experiences (PCEs) in the association between ACEs, self-rated emotional support and mental health. Methods: An online panel survey gathered data from 4,940 Slovenian adults aged 18 to 75. Simultaneous multiple regression path analysis (PROCESS) was used to test two moderation and mediation models. Results: Results indicate that ACEs were weakly associated with higher rates of anxious attachment and reduced self-rated mental health. Anxious attachment mediated the relation between ACEs and self-rated emotional support and self-rated mental health. PCEs were weakly negatively associated with anxious and avoidant attachment and interacted with ACEs in their effect on emotional support in adulthood. The strongest associations were found in the negative pathways between the two attachment styles (anxious and avoidant), emotional support, and self-rated mental health. Conclusions: These findings can guide (therapeutic) interventions for individuals with a history of child adversity: interventions could focus on addressing insecure attachment, involve a person’s social network as well as recognize and support the potential role of positive childhood experiences as protective factors.

Keywords

• attachment anxiety
• attachment avoidance
• adverse and positive childhood experiences
• self-rated mental health
• self-rated emotional support