Social support, attachment, and psychopathology in high rise formerly maltreated adults

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the relationships among soc ial support, attachment security, and psychopathology in an adult sample of high risk abuse survivors. Attachment security was conceptualized in terms of two underlying dimensions, the working models of self and other. Method: Sixty-six participants (24 men and 42 women) who met conditions for physical or sexual abuse were recruited from the greater Boston area. They completed the "Record of Maltreatment Experiences," the "Relationship Scal es Questionnaire," the "Norbeck Social Support Questionnaire," and multiple measures of psychopathology. Results: When multiple risk and protective factors were examined concurrent ly (e.g., social support, attachment, abuse history, IQ, SES), a negative v iew of self tone of the attachment poles) was the strongest predictor of ov erall psychopathology. Social support did not emerge as a significant direc t predictor of psychopathology, once the effects of negative view of self w ere accounted for. However, among participants low on social support, in co mparison to those who are high, a negative view of self was more highly cor related with some psychopathology measures. Conclusions: These findings indicate that among maltreatment survivors, neg ative view of self emerges as the most substantial predictor of psychopatho logy when examined in combination with other relevant risk factors. (C) 200 0 Elsevier Science Ltd.