The relationship between early maltreatment, later attachment, and self-esteem in older child adoptees

Abstract

This study examined the effects of early maltreatment on later attachment and self-esteem in adolescent adoptees. Nine clinical older child adoptees with a history of maltreatment were examined in relation to ten clinical and 15 non-clinical infant adoptees with no history of maltreatment. Delayed removal from biological home suggested history of maltreatment. Subjects currently receiving psychological services were classified as clinical, while those who had never received psychological services were classified as non-clinical. The Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment (IPPA - Armsden and Greenberg, 1987), and the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale (RULS - Russell, Peplau, & Cutrona, 1980) were used to obtain attachment information. Level of self-esteem was assessed using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE - Rosenberg, 1979). Early maltreatment did not predict poor attachment or low self-esteem, as evidenced by older child adoptees' high scores on the respective measures. Of the three groups examined, clinical infant adoptees demonstrated the lowest levels of self-esteem and attachment. Finally, self-esteem and attachment were found to be positively correlated in all three adoptive groups. Implications for parental and therapeutic roles in the amendment of early maltreatment, resolution of adoption-related issues and development of attachment and self-esteem are discussed.