The effect of sexual victimization on attachment in emerging adulthood: An analysis of an African-American sample
| Author | Stephen Watts,Leslie G Simons,Ronald L Simons,Sara Z Evans |
| Published date | 01 January 2021 |
| Date | 01 January 2021 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1177/0269758020936073 |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
Article
The effect of sexual
victimization on attachment
in emerging adulthood:
An analysis of an
African-American sample
Stephen Watts
University of Memphis, USA
Sara Z Evans
Kennesaw State University, USA
Leslie G Simons and Ronald L Simons
University of Georgia, USA
Abstract
Research has consistently shown that sexual victimization during childhood and adolescence can
lead to negative outcomes. However, little research to date has sought to test whether these
experiences can shape security of attachment in adulthood, an important concept in attachment
theory. Utilizing a longitudinal community sample of African Americans, the current study tested
whether sexual victimization during childhood and adolescence correlated with security of
attachment in emerging adulthood while controlling for parenting. Results of regression analyses
showed that sexual victimization did correlate with greater insecurity of attachment in emerging
adulthood while controlling for parenting among females, but not males. Implications of these
findings for policy and theory are discussed.
Keywords
Child sexual abuse, attachment style, victimization
Corresponding author:
Sara Z Evans, Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice, Kennesaw State Unive rsity, 402 Bartow Ave MB#2204,
Kennesaw, 30144 GA, USA.
Email: sevan120@kennesaw.edu
International Review of Victimology
2021, Vol. 27(1) 111–124
ªThe Author(s) 2020
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DOI: 10.1177/0269758020936073
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