Indirect effect of childhood maltreatment through insecure attachment on Food and Alcohol Disturbance in university students

Abstract

Food and Alcohol Disturbance (FAD) is characterized by a functional relationship between disordered eating behaviors and problematic alcohol use, which may serve to offset calories consumed from alcohol and/or increase alcohol intoxication. Childhood adversity has been found to be associated with FAD, but its potential impacts on attachment profiles and FAD behaviors have never been examined. The present study investigates the association between childhood maltreatment and attachment in relation to FAD behaviors in students, testing a model in which insecure attachment mediates the relationship between childhood maltreatment and FAD. University students (N=629) participated in the study, completing questionnaires on FAD, childhood maltreatment history, and adult attachment. Structural equation modeling was used to test the mediated effect of childhood maltreatment through attachment on FAD behaviors in students. Insecure attachment and childhood maltreatment were related; however, only insecure attachment had a direct effect on FAD behaviors. A history of childhood maltreatment was indirectly related to FAD, mediated by insecure attachment. Attachment insecurity, particularly preoccupied and fearful patterns, had a direct effect on FAD behaviors in university students and mediated the relationship between childhood maltreatment and FAD. These findings may explain how early experiences of child maltreatment (especially sexual, physical, and emotional abuse) can affect attachment style, and later, in adulthood, influence FAD behaviors in students. Clinicians should adapt treatment and preventions strategies to help patients transition from insecure attachment to a more secure pattern and regulate their negative emotions