The Association between Adverse Childhood Experiences, Adult Attachment-Related Characteristics, and Problematic Alcohol Use among Black American Emerging Adults

Abstract Over 50% of individuals in the United States have had an Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE). ACE exposure has been associated with difficulties in emotion regulation, attachment-related insecurity, and increased risk for problematic alcohol use during emerging adulthood. Although prior research has linked ACEs, attachment-related characteristics, and problematic alcohol use, these relationships remain underexamined in Black American emerging adults, a population disproportionately exposed to ACEs. The present study examined associations among cumulative ACEs, adult attachment-related characteristics, and problematic alcohol use in a sample of Black American emerging adults. Participants were Black American emerging adults recruited via Prolific. Participants completed self-report measures of cumulative ACEs, adult attachment characteristics (closeness, dependency, and anxiety), and problematic alcohol use. Bivariate correlations and mediation analyses using PROCESS Model 4 were conducted to examine indirect associations between cumulative ACEs and problematic alcohol use through adult attachment subscales. Cumulative ACEs were positively associated with problematic alcohol use and attachment anxiety and negatively associated with attachment closeness and dependency. Significant indirect effects of cumulative ACEs on problematic alcohol use were observed through attachment dependency and anxiety subscales, but not for the closeness subscale. The results from the current study fill a gap in the literature surrounding ACEs, adult attachment-related characteristics, and problematic alcohol use within a sample of Black American emerging adults. Results highlight attachment-related anxiety and dependency as correlates of alcohol risk in the context of ACEs. Future longitudinal and intervention research is needed to further clarify these associations in Black American emerging adults.