An adult daughter's perception of childhood maternal verbal abuse in relationship to attachment and social learning.

Verbal abuse is an issue that has not received the attention it warrants (Neu, 2003). Verbal abuse leaves no visible marks, yet the scars run deep. This correlation study explored the possible relationship among perceived maternal verbal abuse and the attachment a daughter feels to her mother and to other adult relationships. The researcher further explored the relationship of perceived maternal verbal abuse and a daughter's development of psychological or emotional problems. The theoretical foundation is based on the theory of attachment and social learning theory (Bandura, 1973; Bowlby, 1979, 1988). College women from a community college completed questionnaires regarding their relationships and psychological well-being.