The Relationship between Childhood Trauma and Attachment to Rejection Sensitivity and Fear of Intimacy

This study examined the contribution of childhood abuse and adult attachment styles to rejection sensitivity and fear of intimacy. It is based on Attachment Theory (Bowlby, 1969, 1973, 1979, 1980) and studies which show that abusive parental attitudes and parental abuse are associated with insecure attachment styles. These studies state that childhood abuse will shape attachment styles and will be linked to the characteristics of interpersonal relationships and the way in which adults perceive and manage relationships. People who experienced rejection, abuse and humiliation in childhood may become sensitive to rejection and may also express difficulties in establishing relationships and maintaining intimate relationships and a fear of intimacy in adulthood.

In total, 180 people aged 21-35 who were in a relationship participated in the study, and responded to the following questionnaires: demographic details, Attachment Orientation (ECR-S), Childhood Abuse (CTQ), Sensitivity to Rejection (RSQ) and Fear of Intimacy (FOS).

The first research hypothesis which postulated that there would be a correlation between the experience of childhood abuse (physical, sexual, emotional) and an insecure attachment style in adulthood (anxious, avoidant) was partially confirmed. A positive correlation was found between emotional abuse and an anxious and avoidant attachment style. The second research hypothesis which postulated that there would be a correlation between the experience of childhood abuse (physical, sexual, emotional) and sensitivity to rejection and fear of intimacy was partially confirmed. A negative correlation was found between physical abuse and expectation of acceptance, and a positive correlation between physical abuse and fear of intimacy. In addition, a positive correlation was found between emotional abuse and fear of rejection and fear of intimacy, and a negative correlation was found between emotional abuse and the expectation of acceptance. The third research hypothesis which postulated that there would be a correlation between an insecure attachment style in adulthood (anxious, avoidant) and sensitivity to rejection and fear of intimacy was confirmed. A positive correlation was found between avoidant and anxious attachment style and fear of rejection and fear of intimacy and a negative relationship between avoidant and anxious attachment style and expectation of acceptance.

In addition, the fourth and fifth research hypotheses regarding the research model which postulated that the attachment styles would mediate the relationship between childhood abuse and sensitivity to rejection (fear of rejection and expectation of acceptance) and fear of intimacy - were partially confirmed and showed that an anxious attachment style fully mediated the relationship between childhood emotional abuse and fear of rejection. Both anxious and avoidant attachment styles fully mediated the relationship between childhood emotional abuse and expectation of acceptance. An avoidant attachment style fully mediated the relation between childhood emotional abuse and fear of intimacy.

This study allows for a deeper understanding of the intimate ties that people weave, and their sensitivity to rejection and the understanding that childhood abuse has consequences in adulthood on marital relationships. At the theoretical level, the study contributes to the understanding of the complexity of the consequences of childhood abuse on the marital aspect in adulthood. At the applied level, the insights gained from the research findings may be helpful in the treatment of individuals and couples experiencing difficulties in relationships.