The impact of domestic violence on mothers' prenatal representations of their infants

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between domestic violence during pregnancy and mothers' prenatal representations of their infants and themselves as mothers. Two hundred and six women were recruited from the community and interviewed during their last trimester of pregnancy. Forty-four percent of women reported experiencing domestic violence during the current pregnancy, while 56% reported no domestic violence during the pregnancy. Maternal representations were assessed using the Working Model of the Child Interview (WMCI; Zeanah, Benoit, Hirshberg, Barton, & Regan, 1994). Multiple analysis of variance (MANCOVA) and analyses revealed that women who experienced 2 domestic violence had significantly more negative representations of their infants and themselves as mothers and were significantly more likely to be classified as insecurely attached (either Disengaged or Distorted) than women who had not experienced domestic violence. These results, along with several excerpts from battered women's interviews, highlight the importance of domestic violence as a risk factor for maternal and infant well being. These findings and their clinical implications are discussed in light of attachment theory.RESUMEN: Este estudio examinó la relación entre la violencia en el hogar durante el embarazo y las representaciones que las madres tienen de sus infantes antes del nacimiento, así como de ellas mismas como madres. Doscientas seis mujeres de la comunidad fueron reclutadas y entrevistadas durante el último trimestre de su embarazo. Cuarenta y cuatro por ciento de las mujeres reportaron el haber esperimentado violencia en el hogar durante el actual embarazo, mientras que 56% reportó que no había habido violencia doméstica durante el embarazo. Las representaciones maternas fueron evaluadas usando el Modelo de Trabajo de la Entrevista Infantil (WMCI; Zeanah et al., 1994). Los análisis MANCOVA y Chi-Square revelaron que las mujeres que experimentaban violencia doméstica tenían significativamente más representaciones negativas de sus infantes y de ellas mismas como madres, y estaban mucho más propensas a ser clasificadas como inseguras en cuanto a la unión afectiva (ya sea no comprometida o distorsionada), que las mujeres que no habían experimentado violencia en el hogar. Estos resultados, junto con otros trozos de entrevistas con mujeres maltratadas, subrayan la importancia de la violencia doméstica como un factor de riesgo para el bienestar maternal y de los infantes. Estos resultados y sus implicaciones clínicas se discuten a la luz de la teoría de la afectividad.RÉ SUMÉ : Cette étude a examiné la relation entre la violence domestique durant la grossesse et les repré-sentations prénatales que se font les mères de leurs bébés et d'elles-mêmes en tant que mères. Deux cent six mères ont été recrutées dans la communauté et interviewées durant le dernier trimestre de leur grossesse. Quarante-quatre pourcent de ces femmes ont dit avoir subi des violences domestiques durant leur grossesse actuelle, alors que 56% de ces femme...

The child as held in the mind of the mother: The influence of prenatal maternal representations on parenting behaviors

“…In fact, preliminary work in this area has provided confirmatory evidence that the mother's prenatal representations hold significant meaning for the developing mother-infant relationship HuthBocks, Levendosky, & Bogat, 2002; Huth-Bocks, Levendosky, Theran, & Bogat, 2004;Theran, Levendosky, Bogat, & Huth-Bocks, 2005). To date, however, the majority of this research has examined the impact of prenatal working models on child attachment categories rather than on parenting behaviors.…”

Concerted Practice-Based Actions in Intimate Partner and Family Violence: When the Children’s Well-Being Is the Central Concern

“…Moreover, these women often find themselves isolated or forced to take time off from work due to difficulties at home [44]. IPV also affects the conditions in which parental roles are exercised, in particular by increasing victims' stress [46][47][48][49][50]. While the quality of the relationship between the child and the parent who is an IPV victim constitutes an important protection factor for the former [51][52][53][54][55], studies show that the partner or ex-partner often employs violent behaviour to undermine this relationship [53,56,57].…”

The Effect of Support Expectations on Prenatal Attachment: An Evidence-Based Approach for Intervention in an Adolescent Population

“…The motherÕs prenatal representations of her infant can predict attachment classification at 1 year of age underscoring the power of the attachment (Huth-Bocks et al, 2004). A pregnant adolescentÕs internal working model affects the quality of care she gives her unborn child.…”

“…However, an extensive review of prenatal attachment studies demonstrated conflicting findings. While gestational age and quickening were the two most frequently found factors enhancing attachment, other variables such as social support, self-esteem, anxiety, stress, demographics, and risk status were inconsistent (Ard, 2000;Berryman & Windridge, 1996;Bloom, 1995;Colpin, De Munter, Nys, & Vandemeulebroecke, 1998;Condon, 1993;Cranley, 1981Cranley, , 1984Damato, 1998;Gaffney, 1986;Gau, 1996;Grace, 1989;Heidrich & Cranley, 1989;Hinz, 1997;Huth-Bocks, Levendosky, Theran, & Bogat, 2004;James, 1997;Kemp & Page, 1987;Koniak-Griffin, 1988;Leifer, 1977Leifer, , 1980Litt, 1996;LoBiondo-Wood, 1985;Mathews, 1999;Mercer, Ferketich, May, De Joseph, & Sollid, 1988;St. John, 2002;Shieh, 1998;Siddiqui & Hagglof, 1999;Tyler, 1992;Vito, 1986;Wayland & Tate, 1993;Wilson, 1990;Zachariah, 1994).…”