The relationship between adverse childhood experiences and adult attachment dimensions among young adults in Bangladesh

Abstract

This study examined the association between the unpleasant early life experiences and adult attachment’s dimensions (close, depend and anxiety) among Bangladeshi young adults. Using a correlational research design, data were collected from 213 participants through self-report measures-Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire (ACE-10) and Revised Adult Attachment Scale (RAAS). The analysis revealed 66.2% participants faced at least one type of abuse in their childhood. Sexual abuse was most reported abuse type (31.9%). Mann-Whitney U test showed a significant gender disparity in the ACEs score and in the “Close” attachment dimension (p < .05) and no significant gender disparities in either the “Depend” or “Anxiety” attachment dimensions (p > .05). Spearman’s Rank-order correlation revealed a significant positive relation between the ACEs and the “Depend” attachment dimension (r = .265, p < .01). Furthermore, a significant negative association between the ACEs and the “Close” attachment dimension (r = -.222, p < .01) and “Anxiety” attachment dimension (r = -.259, p < .01) were found. This suggests an increase in the ACEs score results in higher dependency and lower closeness, lower anxiety in the close relationships. This study would provide a new perspective of ACEs and adult attachment dimensions, creating a scope of dealing with mental health aspects of the young adults in the non-Western context of Bangladesh.

Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 35(2), 57-71, 2026 (July)