New Study Links Childhood Trauma, Attachment Anxiety, and Emotional Reactions During Sexual Disagreements
A recent study explores how early-life trauma and attachment anxiety shape emotional responses during romantic conflicts over sex. Researchers find that people with higher attachment anxiety tend to experience more intense negative emotions during sexual disagreements, with childhood trauma helping explain why.
The research underscores a growing interest in how childhood experiences influence adult relationships. In Thai society, where family expectations and cultural norms around intimacy are strong, these findings are particularly relevant. Attachment theory, developed by psychologist John Bowlby, posits that early caregiver interactions set patterns for later relationships. Trauma such as neglect, abuse, or caregiver loss can disrupt secure attachment, leading to ongoing worries about abandonment or feelings of unworthiness in adulthood.