Examining the relationships between childhood abuse history, attachment, and health anxiety

This study examined the relationship between childhood abuse experiences and health anxiety in adulthood and investigated the role of attachment in this relationship. In total, 181 university students (aged 18–29 years) completed a battery of measures that assessed childhood abuse, health anxiety, a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of health psychology 2021-06, Vol.26 (7), p.1085-1095
Main Authors: Reiser, Sarah J, Power, Hilary A, Wright, Kristi D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adults
Anxiety
Attachment
Child abuse & neglect
Childhood factors
College students
Health
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Summary:This study examined the relationship between childhood abuse experiences and health anxiety in adulthood and investigated the role of attachment in this relationship. In total, 181 university students (aged 18–29 years) completed a battery of measures that assessed childhood abuse, health anxiety, and attachment orientation. Health anxiety was associated with all categories of childhood abuse and overall childhood abuse severity. Anxious attachment partially mediated the relationship between overall childhood abuse and health anxiety in adulthood. The results further our understanding of the relationship between childhood abuse and health anxiety in adulthood and provide support for the interpersonal model of health anxiety.
ISSN:1359-1053
1461-7277
DOI:10.1177/1359105319869804