Wounds of the Past as Roots of Shame: The Link Between Early Exposure to Domestic Violence, Childhood Trauma, Insecure Attachment, and Shame Proneness

Abstract The present study aimed to investigate the relations between early exposure to domestic violence, childhood trauma, insecure attachment (i.e., anxious and avoidant), and shame proneness. The sample comprised 718 Romanian participants aged 17 to 62 (M = 27.16, SD = 10.28; 76.60% female). Results suggested that participants’ exposure to domestic violence during childhood was positively associated with anxious and avoidant attachment and shame proneness. Though childhood trauma was positively associated with early exposure to domestic violence, it was not significantly associated with anxious or avoidant attachment nor with shame proneness. Further mediation analysis suggested a complete, statistically significant positive mediation of the relationship between exposure to domestic violence and shame proneness through insecure attachment. We discuss these findings and consider their implications for practical interventions aimed at addressing the adverse long-term effects of childhood traumatic events and the complex implications of insecure attachment styles. Keywords: domestic violence; childhood trauma; insecure attachment; shame proneness.