Adverse Childhood Experiences, Maternal/Fetal Attachment, and Maternal Mental Health

Abstract

Background: This pilot study investigated the potential impact of exposure to childhood adversity on variables known to be related to posttraumatic stress (including attachment, mental health, and perceived stress) in a clinic sample of pregnant women. Materials and Methods: Participants consisted of 101 pregnant women recruited from the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System in Richmond, VA. All participants completed the Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) questionnaire, Parental Bonding Instrument, Maternal Fetal Attachment Scale, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Checklist, Symptom Checklist, and the Perceived Stress Scale. Results: Increased exposure to ACEs was negatively associated with retrospective report of viewing one's mother and father as caring and involved. ACE exposure was a statistically significant predictor of viewing one's mother and father as intrusive and controlling. ACEs were positively associated with self-reported PTSD symptoms, depressive and anxious symptomatology, and perceived stress. No direct effect of adverse childhood events on maternal/fetal attachment was found. Conclusions: ACE associations are discussed in terms of study methodology and needs for future research. Providers may consider incorporating the ACE questionnaire to identify exposure to childhood adversity and events that may increase an individual's risk for toxic stress and negative health outcomes.

Why Is Maternal Control Harmful? The Relation between Maternal Control, Insecure Attachment and Antisocial Personality Disorder Features in Chinese College Students: A Sequential Mediation Model

“…In general, we found a tight ACEs–ASPD association in our study, which is consistent with previous studies [ 17 , 18 ]. Werner et al found that ASPD has a common genetic basis, which makes ASPD in different backgrounds show similar patterns [ 68 ].…”

“…Results also indicated that PAN might lead to mother negative loving perceived by children, indicating that maltreatment from both parents experienced by children may damage the child’s attachment to the mother. This result was consistent with a meta-analysis study which found a robust relationship between ACE and insecure attachment [ 18 , 51 ]. Attachment theory can also explain that primary caregivers’ response to a child’s attachment needs is the key to children’s development of a sense of security, which is a sign of a secure attachment for children [ 32 ].…”

“…The ACEs include a variety of types of trauma, including psychological/physical abuse; violence in the home; living with a mentally ill or suicidal person; living in poverty; and living with a substance abuser [ 16 , 17 ]. A recent study has found that ACEs were related to PDs [ 18 ], but how do ACEs contribute to ASPD in adulthood?…”

Links between mothers’ ACEs, their psychopathology and parenting, and their children’s behavior problems–A mediation model

“…Moreover, the effect of ACEs on mental health is cumulative, meaning that exposure to a greater number of ACEs increases the risk of later mental health problems ( 3 ). Research from the parental literature that focused on maternal ACEs similarly found that mothers’ ACEs predicted their depression, anxiety, PTSD ( 6 , 29 , 30 ), and suicidal ideation ( 31 ).…”