Indirect association between childhood maltreatment and food and alcohol disturbance through insecure attachment in university students

  • Dernière modification de la publication :4 juillet 2025
  • Post category: Actualités/Publication

Ludivine Ritz (MC HDRLPCN, Université de Caen Normandie), Nicolas Mauny (MC, Laboratoire de Psychologie, Université de Franche-Comté), Charlotte Montcharmont (IGE, LPCN, Université de Caen Normandie), Ninon Dessommes, Denis Jacquet (MC HDRLPCN, Université de Caen Normandie) & Maud Lemercier-Dugarin (MC, LPCN, Université de Caen Normandie) ont publié un nouvel article dans la revue Journal of eating disorders.

Ritz, L., Mauny, N., Montcharmont, C. et al. Indirect association between childhood maltreatment and food and alcohol disturbance through insecure attachment in university students. Journal of Eating Disorders, 13, 126. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-025-01321-y

Abstract

Background. Food and Alcohol Disturbance (FAD) is characterized by a functional relationship between disordered eating behaviors and problematic alcohol use. Childhood adversity has been found to be associated with FAD, but its potential impacts on attachment profiles and FAD behaviors have never been examined. The present study tests a model in which insecure attachment mediates the relationship between childhood maltreatment and FAD.Methods. University students (N = 629) participated in the study, completing questionnaires on FAD, childhood maltreatment history, and adult attachment. Structural equation modeling was used to test the mediated effect of childhood maltreatment through attachment on FAD behaviors. Results. Insecure attachment and childhood maltreatment were related; however, only insecure attachment was directly related to FAD behaviors. A history of childhood maltreatment was indirectly related to FAD, mediated by insecure attachment. Attachment insecurity, particularly preoccupied and fearful patterns, was directly related to FAD behaviors in students and mediated the relationship between childhood maltreatment and FAD. Conclusions. These findings may explain how early experiences of child maltreatment can be related to attachment style, and later, in adulthood, influence FAD behaviors in students. Clinicians should adapt treatment and preventions strategies to help patients transition from insecure attachment to a more secure pattern and regulate their negative emotions.

Il est consultable via ce lien : https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-025-01321-y

Celui-ci a été publié dans la revue Journal of Eating Disorders  (IF : 3.4) la première revue à comité de lecture en libre accès publiant des recherches sur les troubles de l’alimentation.

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Ludivine Ritz est enseignante-chercheuse HDR au LPCN, ses recherches portent sur la neuropsychologie, les addictions, les fonctions exécutives et les neurosciences cognitives. Elle est impliquée dans le programme de recherche Addiction.

Ludivine Ritz
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