Associations between childhood neglect, interpersonal relationships, and later substance use: A review through the lens of attachment theories (2023)

Undergraduate: Hua Bai

Faculty Advisor: Andrea Hussong
Department: Psychology & Neuroscience

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In the past few decades, there has been widespread attention and research on the emotional maltreatment of children and its long-term effects on various developmental areas, particularly some substance dependence problems in adulthood. Unhealthy coping mechanisms for emotional regulation and interpersonal relationships developed in child-neglected family environments may lead to the use of drugs as a means of self-healing in the face of difficulties. However, there is still a gap in understanding what connects the dysfunction caused by child neglect with later substance use problems. Through the lens of attachment, this review examines how victims of childhood emotional neglect may be more likely to turn to substance use as a coping mechanism, given difficulties in forming and maintaining relationships during the transition to adulthood. Through an attachment theory perspective, we find that children may learn poor interpersonal skills because of developing insecure attachments with their caregivers in emotionally neglecting environments. Mixed feelings about neglecting caregivers during the transition from childhood to adulthood may carry over into later intimate relationships and be triggered when they feel loved by their partner. In terms of treatment, we should emphasize insecure attachment trauma and provide alternative coping mechanisms to avoid the mutually reinforcing relationship between attachment types and substance use.

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