Childhood Maltreatment, Attachment and Adult Interpersonal Functioning in the Homeless Population

Chronic homelessness is a growing concern in the United States. Many factors may lead to chronic homelessness; however, the literature in this area is fairly limited. This study investigated the relationship between childhood maltreatment, attachment, and interpersonal functioning in the homeless population. Participants were 100 homeless men and women who lived at a residential treatment center for the homeless in Los Angeles, CA. Overall, high rates of childhood maltreatment were found within the homeless population. The results indicated significant correlations between childhood history of physical abuse and sexual abuse and insecure attachment in relationship with mother and father. The results also indicated correlations between severity of childhood physical and sexual abuse and all scales of the Inventory of Altered Self-Capacities (IASC). Homeless individuals present with high rates of childhood maltreatment, which are significantly correlated with insecure attachment, complex PTSD symptoms, and interpersonal difficulties, and this may contribute to chronic homelessness.