Parenting during the COVID‐19 pandemic: Insecure or unresolved attachment representation is a risk factor for harmful parenting behavior

Abstract

BackgroundThe current COVID‐19‐pandemic confronted a large number of young families with stressors. For mothers with a history of childhood maltreatment (CM), the distress during the current pandemic added to their already increased risk for a less sensitive, maltreating parenting behavior.ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate whether maternal attachment representation mediates the relationship between maternal CM experiences and changes in parenting behavior during the pandemic.MethodAs a part of a longitudinal study, mothers' experiences of CM and their attachment status were assessed. For the present study, 92 mothers (mean age: 38.14 years, SD = 4.08; attachment representation: 36% secure, 64% insecure and unresolved) completed an online SARS‐CoV‐2‐pandemic survey assessing their parenting behavior since the beginning of the pandemic.ResultsThe odds of an insecure maternal attachment representation in adulthood increased with higher levels of CM load. Mediation analyses revealed that maternal attachment representation fully explained the relationship between maternal CM load to changes in sensitive, endangering, and overall parenting quality.ConclusionsCM has lasting effects on maternal adult attachment representations. Mothers' attachment representations contribute to a further understanding of intergenerational transmission mechanisms of CM later in adulthood through a more endangered parenting approach in challenging times.ImplicationsThe results of this study should be considered in the development of programs offered to families facing stressful circumstances. In particular, we recommend increased implementation of telephone‐ or web‐based programs.