Mediterranean Journal of Clinical Psychology ISSN 2282-1619 1 Vol 7, n 3, 2019 Articles From trauma to aggression: an empirical study on the relationship between interpersonal trauma, attachment styles and aggressive tendencies among adults Serena Giunta 1 , Luana La Marca 2 * , Roberta Paci 3 , Ornella Mistretta 3 , Antonino Giorgi 4 , Filippo Pergola 5 , Giuseppe Mannino 1 Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between traumatic experiences, insecure attachment styles and psychiatric symptoms in adulthood. Self-report measures concerning trauma, attachment styles and psychopathology were administered to 59 adults (33.9% males, 66.1% females) ranging in age from 18 to 61 years old. Results showed that traumatic experiences were associated with insecure attachment styles and psychopathology, in particular concerning aggressive tendencies. Findings of the study suggest that the exploration of past experiences and current attachment relationships, in terms of interpersonal functioning, may be crucial for understanding aggressiveness. 1 LUMSA Libera Università Maria Santissima Assunta, Italy 2 UKE - Kore University of Enna, Italy 3 University of Palermo, Italy 4 Catholic University “Sacro Cuore”, Brescia, Italy 5 University of Roma “Tor Vergata”, Italy E-mail corresponding author: luana.lamarca@unikore.it Keywords: Aggressiveness; Attachment styles; Psychopathology; Trauma. DOI: 10.6092/2282-1619/2019.7.2166 1. Introduction Psychological, psychiatric and social observations have shown an always more convincing relation between the suffering endured as a child and adult behavioural disorders. In this context, De Zulueta’s (2008) contribution is interesting, suggesting that the tendency towards violent behaviour in adulthood may be considered as the outcome of adverse experiences lived in the past due to a failure of attachment processes. Research carried out over the years has stressed the emphasis on the different phases that lead to the evolution of aggressive behaviour disorders as a result of trauma. It is worth mentioning here the seminal theories of Ferenczi on traumatic development caused by overwhelming events during adulthood, such as war (Ferenczi, 1921), or by disturbed relationship with the parents during childhood (Ferenczi, 1932).