Maternal history of childhood maltreatment and later parenting behavior: A meta-analysis

Savage, Laura-Émilie; Tarabulsy, George M.; Pearson, Jessica; Collin‐Vézina, Delphine; Gagné, Lisa-Marie

doi:10.1017/s0954579418001542

Cited by 154 publications

(121 citation statements)

References 88 publications

(108 reference statements)

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“…In this context, the hypothesis of the intergenerational transmission of caregiving has emerged, indicating continuity in parenting quality across generations [10, 11]. In particular, women with a history of childhood maltreatment show impairment in their adaption to parenthood and family life [12, 13]. Childhood maltreatment is defined as “the abuse and neglect that occurs to children under 18 years of age.” [14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Associations of postpartum mother-infant bonding with maternal childhood maltreatment and postpartum mental health: a cross-sectional study

Lehnig

Nagl

Stepan

et al. 2019

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth

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Background After delivery, some women experience impairment of their mother-infant bonding (MIB), which can lead to long-term disturbances of the mother-child relationship and the child’s social-emotional development. Little is known about the association between early maternal bonding problems and mothers’ own adverse childhood experiences, even though the hypothesis of the intergenerational transmission of caregiving indicates continuity in parenting quality across generations. Therefore, the current study aimed at examining the relationship between maternal childhood maltreatment and postpartum MIB, controlling for the role of postpartum mental health. Methods From February 2014 to March 2015, 725 women completed self-report measures 2 months postpartum. Maternal childhood maltreatment was assessed with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, postpartum depression with the Revised Beck Depression Inventory, postpartum anxiety with the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised, and postpartum MIB with the abridged version of the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire. Data were analysed using a hierarchical regression analysis. Results Almost 46% of the included women reported at least one type of childhood maltreatment with emotional neglect being most prevalent. 13% displayed at least mild postpartum depressive symptomatology and 20% scored above the 75 th percentile for postpartum anxiety. In the final regression model, which explained 29% of variance, higher severity of maternal emotional neglect in childhood, higher levels of postpartum depression and higher education were significantly related to more postpartum MIB impairment. In contrast, higher severity of maternal physical neglect was significantly associated with less postpartum MIB impairment. Conclusions This study is the first to explore the relationship between diverse types of maternal childhood maltreatment and postpartum MIB, adjusting for postpartum mental health. Maternal experiences of emotional neglect and postpartum depressive symptoms could serve as indicators to identify and support mothers with heightened risk for bonding problems, but results need to be validated in longitudinal studies.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Associations of postpartum mother-infant bonding with maternal childhood maltreatment and postpartum mental health: a cross-sectional study

Lehnig

Nagl

Stepan

et al. 2019

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…For instance, parents exposed to childhood maltreatment seem more likely than nonexposed parents to report posttraumatic stress symptoms, 1,2 mother-infant bonding impairment, 3,4 and later parenting problems. 5 Early in their development, offspring of parents exposed to childhood maltreatment are correspondingly more likely to present poor outcomes such as insecure (mainly disorganized) working models of attachment 6…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prenatal Attachment, Parental Confidence, and Mental Health in Expecting Parents: The Role of Childhood Trauma

Berthelot

Lemieux

Garon-Bissonnette

et al. 2019

J Midwife Womens Health

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Introduction: Exposure to childhood abuse or neglect may lead to negative outcomes during pregnancy in expecting parents, which may contribute to a negative experience of childbearing and have consequences for the developing fetus. This study examined the associations between exposure to childhood abuse or neglect, psychological symptoms, prenatal attachment, and perception of parental competence in expectant parents. Methods: Individuals at low sociodemographic risk were recruited in community perinatal care settings and completed self-report assessment measures of depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, dissociation, personality disorders, perception of parental competence, and prenatal attachment. Results: There were 322 participants (78% women), including 91 adults with a history of childhood abuse or neglect, Participants who were exposed to childhood abuse or neglect reported significantly higher levels of symptoms on all indices of mental health than nonexposed adults, even when controlling for sociodemographic risks. However, both groups reported similar levels of prenatal attachment and parental confidence. The impact of childhood maltreatment was similar in men and women. Structural equation modeling showed that childhood abuse or neglect leads to poor mental health and that poor mental health, but not childhood maltreatment, is associated with low parental confidence and prenatal attachment. Discussion: Psychological symptoms are frequent in expectant parents who experienced maltreatment during their childhood. However, childhood abuse or neglect is not associated with their attitude regarding parenthood and the child in the absence of psychopathology. Supporting mental health may be an important target of parental programs offered during pregnancy to women and men with a history of childhood abuse or neglect.

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“…Two meta-analyses in this Special Section confirm the hypothesized intergenerational effects of maltreatment. First, averaging effects across 32 studies, Savage et al (2019) demonstrate that a mother's history of maltreatment is associated with later dysfunctional parenting behaviors. Second, Madigan et al (2019) demonstrate across 80 studies that the strength of the intergenerational transmission of maltreatment is significant.…”

Section: A Continued Search For Mechanismsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effect of maltreatment experiences on maltreating and dysfunctional parenting: A search for mechanisms

2019

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Maternal history of childhood maltreatment and later parenting behavior: A meta-analysis

Cited by 154 publications

References 88 publications

Associations of postpartum mother-infant bonding with maternal childhood maltreatment and postpartum mental health: a cross-sectional study

Associations of postpartum mother-infant bonding with maternal childhood maltreatment and postpartum mental health: a cross-sectional study

Prenatal Attachment, Parental Confidence, and Mental Health in Expecting Parents: The Role of Childhood Trauma

The effect of maltreatment experiences on maltreating and dysfunctional parenting: A search for mechanisms

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