Unresolved attachment and identity diffusion in adolescence

This study examined the severity of unresolved attachment underlying adolescent identity diffusion. Our sample consisted of 180 inpatient adolescents aged 14 to 18 years (77% female, M age = 15.13, SD = 1.35; 23% male, M age = 14.85, SD = 1.41) and 84 age-matched non-clinical adolescents (52% female, M age = 16.14, SD = 1.21; 48% males, M age = 15.98, SD = 1.07). We used the Adult Attachment Projective Picture System (AAP) interview to assess attachment representations and the Assessment of Identity Development in Adolescence (AIDA) questionnaire to evaluate the severity of identity diffusion. Our results demonstrate a higher amount of unresolved attachment and identity diffusion in the patient sample than in the control sample. Furthermore, patients with an unresolved attachment status scored higher on identity diffusion than those with no unresolved attachment pattern. Interestingly, this was not found in the control group. Furthermore, patients with a greater severity of unresolved attachment showed the highest maladaptive identity development scores. Psychotherapeutic interventions integrating attachment-related aspects might be useful to treat young people with identity diffusion.

The role of identity in the development of depressive, anxiety, and psychosis symptoms in adolescents exposed to childhood adversity

INTRODUCTION

Childhood adversity is a major risk factor for psychiatric disorders and has especially been associated with an admixture of depressive, anxiety, and psychosis symptoms. Identity formation, a main developmental task during adolescence, may be impacted by these adverse experiences and act as an important process in the association between childhood adversity and psychopathology.

METHODS

We investigated the association between childhood adversity, identity formation, and depressive, anxiety, and psychosis symptoms cross-sectionally in 1913 Flemish adolescents between 11 and 20 years old (mean = 13.76, SD = 1.86). Adolescents completed questionnaires during the first wave of the SIGMA study between January 2018 and May 2019.

RESULTS

Childhood interpersonal adversity was associated with increased identity confusion and decreased identity synthesis. Additionally, identity confusion was associated with increased self-reported levels of psychopathology and potentially mediated the association between childhood adversity and psychopathology.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the importance of promoting healthy identity formation in adolescents with and without exposure to adverse childhood experiences.

Gender Differences in Children's Exposure to Domestic Violence in Nigeria

Children's exposure to domestic violence (DV) remains an understudied problem in African society at present, particularly in Nigeria. This study examined gender differences in children's exposure to domestic violence based on identified gaps in the literature. Through a cross-sectional research design, data were gathered from 280 Nigerian children with a mean age of 14.14 ± 2.36. Data were collected using a standardized questionnaire. The independent sample t-test was utilized for hypothesis testing, with statistical significance set at p < .05. Although female participants scored a slightly higher mean score, there was no significant gender difference in children's exposure to domestic violence [t (278) = .67; p > .05]. The authors conclude that there was no statistically significant gender difference in children's exposure to domestic violence; however, this research informs further exploration into other variables that may affect children's exposure to domestic violence.

Childhood maltreatment and identity diffusion among inpatient adolescents: The role of reflective function

INTRODUCTION

Identity integration, as opposed to identity diffusion, has been associated with greater self-esteem, meaning in life, and functioning. Trauma may have negative effects on identity; however, few studies have examined trauma and identity among adolescents, particularly those with psychiatric disorders. Moreover, factors that may promote healthy identity in adolescents who have experienced trauma have not been identified. This study aimed to test associations between childhood maltreatment and identity diffusion among adolescents with psychiatric disorders, and evaluated reflective function (RF) as a mediator of these associations.

METHODS

107 adolescents (M_age = 15.36, 75.7% female) who were inpatient at a psychiatric hospital in the United States completed self-report measures of childhood maltreatment (physical, sexual, and emotional abuse; physical and emotional neglect; total maltreatment), identity diffusion, and RF. Path analysis was used to test two models of the relations between childhood maltreatment, RF, and identity diffusion.

RESULTS

Total maltreatment and all forms of maltreatment except physical abuse were significantly associated with identity diffusion at the bivariate level. In path analysis (Model 1), emotional and physical neglect were directly associated with identity diffusion, and RF mediated the association between emotional abuse and identity diffusion. In Model 2, RF partially mediated the association between overall level of maltreatment and identity diffusion.

CONCLUSIONS

Emotional abuse, emotional neglect, physical neglect, and total combined maltreatment exposure may be risk factors for adolescent identity diffusion. Targeting RF may help to build healthy identity among adolescents with symptoms of psychiatric disorders who have experienced maltreatment, particularly emotional abuse.