Research Article

Broken Trust in Childhood, Bonds Formed in Adulthood: The Effect of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Attachment Styles

Volume: 17 Number: April, May, June 2026 June 16, 2026

Broken Trust in Childhood, Bonds Formed in Adulthood: The Effect of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Attachment Styles

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine whether there is a relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACE) and adult attachment styles, and whether the duration of psychotherapy affects this relationship. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional research conducted with 260 adults aged 18–65 living in Turkey. Participants completed a Personal Information Form, the ACE Scale, and the Three-Dimensional Attachment Styles Scale. Analyses were conducted using SPSS, including descriptive statistics, group comparisons, Pearson correlations, and hierarchical moderation regression. Results: ACE scores were positively associated with anxious–ambivalent attachment, whereas no significant association was found with avoidant or secure attachment. Anxious–ambivalent attachment was significantly predicted by ACE scores after controlling for sociodemographic variables. Avoidant attachment scores were higher among men, married participants, and employed individuals. ACE and anxious attachment levels were higher in participants with lower income. Psychotherapy duration did not moderate the relationship between ACE and anxious–ambivalent attachment. Conclusion: The findings indicate that adverse childhood experiences are primarily associated with insecure attachment patterns in adulthood, particularly anxious–ambivalent attachment, rather than secure attachment. Practice implications: Early identification of childhood adversity and attachment-related risk factors is essential in pediatric and child mental health nursing. Attachment-informed nursing interventions may contribute to preventive mental health strategies across the lifespan.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

None

Project Number

None

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval was obtained from the relevant ethics committee before the study. All procedures were conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Informed consent was obtained from all participants.Ethical approval was obtained from the relevant ethics committee before the study. All procedures were conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Informed consent was obtained from all participants.

Thanks

The authors would like to thank all participants who took part in this study.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Mental Health Nursing

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

June 16, 2026

Submission Date

March 26, 2026

Acceptance Date

May 19, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 17 Number: April, May, June 2026

APA
Bozkurt Tonguç, A. (2026). Broken Trust in Childhood, Bonds Formed in Adulthood: The Effect of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Attachment Styles. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, 17(April, May, June 2026). https://doi.org/10.31067/acusaglik.1916360
AMA
1.Bozkurt Tonguç A. Broken Trust in Childhood, Bonds Formed in Adulthood: The Effect of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Attachment Styles. Acibadem Univ Saglik Bilim Derg. 2026;17(April, May, June 2026). doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1916360
Chicago
Bozkurt Tonguç, Adile. 2026. “Broken Trust in Childhood, Bonds Formed in Adulthood: The Effect of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Attachment Styles”. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 17 (April, May, June 2026). https://doi.org/10.31067/acusaglik.1916360.
EndNote
Bozkurt Tonguç A (June 1, 2026) Broken Trust in Childhood, Bonds Formed in Adulthood: The Effect of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Attachment Styles. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 17 April, May, June 2026
IEEE
[1]A. Bozkurt Tonguç, “Broken Trust in Childhood, Bonds Formed in Adulthood: The Effect of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Attachment Styles”, Acibadem Univ Saglik Bilim Derg, vol. 17, no. April, May, June 2026, June 2026, doi: 10.31067/acusaglik.1916360.
ISNAD
Bozkurt Tonguç, Adile. “Broken Trust in Childhood, Bonds Formed in Adulthood: The Effect of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Attachment Styles”. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 17/April, May, June 2026 (June 1, 2026). https://doi.org/10.31067/acusaglik.1916360.
JAMA
1.Bozkurt Tonguç A. Broken Trust in Childhood, Bonds Formed in Adulthood: The Effect of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Attachment Styles. Acibadem Univ Saglik Bilim Derg. 2026;17. doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1916360.
MLA
Bozkurt Tonguç, Adile. “Broken Trust in Childhood, Bonds Formed in Adulthood: The Effect of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Attachment Styles”. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, vol. 17, no. April, May, June 2026, June 2026, doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1916360.
Vancouver
1.Adile Bozkurt Tonguç. Broken Trust in Childhood, Bonds Formed in Adulthood: The Effect of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Attachment Styles. Acibadem Univ Saglik Bilim Derg. 2026 Jun. 1;17(April, May, June 2026). doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1916360