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Papalia N, Widom CS. Do insecure adult attachment styles mediate the relationship between childhood maltreatment and violent behavior? Dev Psychopathol 2024; 36:636-647. [PMID: 36700354 PMCID: PMC10368795 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579422001468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Attachment theory has played an important role in attempts to understand the "cycle of violence," where maltreated children are at increased risk for perpetrating violence later in life. However, little is known empirically about whether adult attachment insecurity in close relationships may partly explain the link between childhood maltreatment and violent behavior. This study aimed to address this gap using data from a prospective longitudinal study of documented childhood abuse and neglect cases and demographically matched controls (ages 0-11 years), who were followed into adulthood and interviewed (N = 892). Participants completed the Relationship Scales Questionnaire assessing adult attachment styles at mean age 39.54. Criminal arrest data were used to determine arrests for violence after the assessment of attachment through mean age 50.54. There were significant direct paths from childhood maltreatment and adult attachment insecurity to violent arrests after attachment measurement. Attachment insecurity partly explained the higher levels of violence in individuals with maltreatment histories. Analyses of maltreatment subtypes and attachment styles revealed that attachment anxiety appeared to mediate paths between neglect and physical abuse and later violence. There were no significant indirect paths from neglect or physical abuse to violence via attachment avoidance. Implications and future directions are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Papalia
- Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science, Swinburne University of Technology and Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Psychology Department, John Jay College, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Cathy Spatz Widom
- Psychology Department, John Jay College, New York City, NY, USA
- The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York City, NY, USA
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2
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Köhler-Dauner F, Peter L, Fegert JM, Ziegenhain U, Buchheim A. The role of attachment representation in the relationship between childhood maltreatment, mental health and parental load: A mediation analysis. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2023; 144:106334. [PMID: 37454555 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Köhler-Dauner
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychotherapy, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany.
| | - Lena Peter
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychotherapy, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Jörg M Fegert
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychotherapy, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Ute Ziegenhain
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychotherapy, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Anna Buchheim
- Institute of Psychology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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3
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Ye Z, Wei X, Zhang J, Li H, Cao J. The impact of adverse childhood experiences on depression: the role of insecure attachment styles and emotion dysregulation strategies. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2023:1-11. [PMID: 37359705 PMCID: PMC10099002 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-023-04613-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Objectives: The previous studies have reported that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can have detrimental effects on victims' attachment styles, emotion regulation strategies and depression. How the insecure attachment styles and emotion dysregulation strategies play a role in the relationship between ACEs and depression among Chinese university students remains unclear. Methods: The research was made known to students studying at universities in China. Five hundred and eighty-nine college students completed questionnaires measuring ACEs, insecure attachment styles, emotion dysregulation strategies and depression. Sequential chain mediation model was built by Mplus. Results: The model showed that insecure attachment styles and emotion dysregulation strategies mediated the relationship between ACEs and depression respectively. Moreover, the sequential chain mediation showed an indirect path (ACEs - insecure attachment styles - emotion dysregulation strategies - depression). Conclusion: Following childhood adversities, students can experience elevated depression which is influenced by attachment styles and emotion regulation strategies. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12144-023-04613-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zilan Ye
- School of Humanities and Management, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
- Department of Psychology, School of Humanities and Management, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, 523808 China
| | - Xiaoqi Wei
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jieting Zhang
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
- The Shenzhen Humanities & Social Sciences Key Research Bases of the Center for Mental Health, Shenzhen university, Shenzhen, China
| | - Huilin Li
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jiageng Cao
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
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4
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Zheng S, Ishii K, Masuda T, Matsunaga M, Noguchi Y, Yamasue H, Ohtsubo Y. Mu opioid receptor gene (OPRM1) moderates the influence of perceived parental attention on social support seeking. ADAPTIVE HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND PHYSIOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s40750-022-00192-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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5
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Stagaki M, Nolte T, Feigenbaum J, King-Casas B, Lohrenz T, Fonagy P, Montague PR. The mediating role of attachment and mentalising in the relationship between childhood maltreatment, self-harm and suicidality. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2022; 128:105576. [PMID: 35313127 PMCID: PMC10466023 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Revised: 01/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although the relationship between childhood maltreatment, self-harm and suicidality is well-established, less is known about the mediating mechanisms explaining it. Based on a developmental mentalisation-based theoretical framework, childhood adversity compromises mentalising ability and attachment security, which in turn increase vulnerability to later stressors in adulthood. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the role of attachment and mentalising as potential mechanisms in the relationship between childhood maltreatment, self-harm and suicidality. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING We recruited 907 adults from clinical and community settings in Greater London. METHODS The study design was cross-sectional. Participants completed self-report questionnaires on retrospectively rated childhood trauma, and current attachment to the romantic partner, mentalising, self-harm, suicidal ideation and attempt. We used structural equation modelling to examine the data and conceptualized childhood maltreatment as a general factor in a confirmatory bifactor model. RESULTS The results showed that childhood maltreatment was both directly associated with self-harm and suicidality and indirectly via the pathways of attachment and mentalising. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that insecure attachment and impaired mentalising partially explain the association between childhood maltreatment, self-harm and suicidality. Clinically, they provide support for the potential of mentalisation-based therapy or other psychosocial interventions that aim to mitigate the risk of self-harm and suicidality among individuals who have experienced childhood maltreatment via increasing understanding of self and other mental states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Stagaki
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Tobias Nolte
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging, University College London, London, United Kingdom; Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, London, United Kingdom
| | - Janet Feigenbaum
- Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Brooks King-Casas
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Psychology, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA, United States of America
| | - Terry Lohrenz
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Psychology, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA, United States of America
| | - Peter Fonagy
- Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, London, United Kingdom; Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - P Read Montague
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging, University College London, London, United Kingdom; Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Psychology, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA, United States of America; Department of Physics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States of America; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA, United States of America
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6
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Wrobel AL, Russell SE, Jayasinghe A, Lotfaliany M, Turner A, Dean OM, Cotton SM, Diaz‐Byrd C, Yocum AK, Duval ER, Ehrlich TJ, Marshall DF, Berk M, McInnis MG. Attachment insecurity partially mediates the relationship between childhood trauma and depression severity in bipolar disorder. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2022; 145:591-603. [PMID: 35243610 PMCID: PMC9314952 DOI: 10.1111/acps.13419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Childhood trauma is associated with greater depression severity among individuals with bipolar disorder. However, the mechanisms that explain the link between childhood trauma and depression severity in bipolar disorder remain poorly understood. The mediational role of attachment insecurity in childhood and adulthood was assessed in the current study. METHODS Participants with bipolar disorder (N = 143) completed measures of childhood trauma (Childhood Trauma Questionnaire), attachment insecurity (Experiences in Close Relationships Scale) and depression severity (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale) as part of the Prechter Longitudinal Study of Bipolar Disorder. A sequential mediation model was tested using path analysis: the direct and indirect effects of childhood trauma on depression severity with attachment insecurity (attachment anxiety and avoidance) in childhood (mother and father) and adulthood (partner) as mediators were estimated. RESULTS The final path model demonstrated an excellent fit to the data (comparative fit index = 0.996; root mean square error of approximation = 0.021 [90% confidence interval = 0.000-0.073]). Supporting the hypothesised sequential mediation model, maternal attachment anxiety in childhood and romantic attachment avoidance in adulthood partially mediated the relationship between childhood trauma and depression severity; this effect accounted for 12% of the total effect of childhood trauma on depression severity. CONCLUSION Attachment insecurity in childhood and adulthood form part of the complex mechanism informing why people with bipolar disorder who have a history of childhood trauma experience greater depression severity. Addressing attachment insecurity represents a valuable psychotherapeutic treatment target for bipolar disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna L. Wrobel
- IMPACT – The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical TranslationSchool of MedicineDeakin UniversityGeelongVictoriaAustralia,OrygenParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
| | - Samantha E. Russell
- IMPACT – The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical TranslationSchool of MedicineDeakin UniversityGeelongVictoriaAustralia
| | - Anuradhi Jayasinghe
- OrygenParkvilleVictoriaAustralia,School of PsychologyDeakin UniversityGeelongVictoriaAustralia
| | - Mojtaba Lotfaliany
- IMPACT – The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical TranslationSchool of MedicineDeakin UniversityGeelongVictoriaAustralia
| | - Alyna Turner
- IMPACT – The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical TranslationSchool of MedicineDeakin UniversityGeelongVictoriaAustralia,School of Medicine and Public HealthUniversity of NewcastleCallaghanNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Olivia M. Dean
- IMPACT – The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical TranslationSchool of MedicineDeakin UniversityGeelongVictoriaAustralia,Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental HealthUniversity of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Sue M. Cotton
- OrygenParkvilleVictoriaAustralia,Centre for Youth Mental HealthUniversity of MelbourneParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
| | - Claudia Diaz‐Byrd
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of Michigan Medical SchoolAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Anastasia K. Yocum
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of Michigan Medical SchoolAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Elizabeth R. Duval
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of Michigan Medical SchoolAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Tobin J. Ehrlich
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of Michigan Medical SchoolAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - David F. Marshall
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of Michigan Medical SchoolAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Michael Berk
- IMPACT – The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical TranslationSchool of MedicineDeakin UniversityGeelongVictoriaAustralia,OrygenParkvilleVictoriaAustralia,Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental HealthUniversity of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia,Centre for Youth Mental HealthUniversity of MelbourneParkvilleVictoriaAustralia,Department of PsychiatryRoyal Melbourne HospitalUniversity of MelbourneParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
| | - Melvin G. McInnis
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of Michigan Medical SchoolAnn ArborMichiganUSA
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Rowell T, Neal-Barnett A. A Systematic Review of the Effect of Parental Adverse Childhood Experiences on Parenting and Child Psychopathology. JOURNAL OF CHILD & ADOLESCENT TRAUMA 2022; 15:167-180. [PMID: 35222782 PMCID: PMC8837768 DOI: 10.1007/s40653-021-00400-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are defined as early exposure to maltreatment and household dysfunction. Researchers have demonstrated the link between ACEs and negative psychological, behavioral, interpersonal, and health outcomes. A growing area of interest in the ACE literature concerns the relationship between ACEs, parenting, and child psychopathology due to the intergenerational effect of ACEs. Emotional availability and discipline strategies are two domains of parenting that can increase understanding of the associations between ACEs, parenting, and child psychopathology from an attachment framework because they are both salient during early childhood and directly influence a child's later behavior. This paper utilized the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to elucidate the relationships between parental ACEs, parents' emotional availability and discipline strategies, and children's psychopathology. PubMed, PSYCINFO, and Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection were used to access the literature on June 16, 2020, and 26 studies met the inclusion criteria. Results from this review suggested that there is a direct association between ACEs and parental emotional availability and discipline techniques. Depression and dissociation were identified as potential mediators. There was support for the direct association between parental ACEs and children's internalizing and externalizing difficulties. Maternal anxiety and depressive symptoms, emotional availability, attachment, and children's maltreatment experiences were found to be possible mediators. Recommendations are proposed to address limitations within the literature to further expand upon the research of ACEs, parenting, and child psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany Rowell
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Kent State University, 600 Hilltop Drive, Kent, OH 44240 USA
| | - Angela Neal-Barnett
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Kent State University, 600 Hilltop Drive, Kent, OH 44240 USA
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8
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Huh HJ, Jeong BR, Hwang JH, Chae JH. High Behavioral Inhibition System/Behavioral Activation System Sensitivity, Childhood Emotional Neglect and Their Interaction as Possible Related Factors for Adult Attachment Style in Depression. Psychiatry Investig 2020; 17:122-129. [PMID: 32046471 PMCID: PMC7047001 DOI: 10.30773/pi.2019.0165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Individual differences in attachment insecurity are important in a broad range of mental health problems. However, few empirical studies have examined the clinical factors that contribute to individual differences in attachment style. This study examines the nature of interrelationships among adult attachment styles, sensitivities of behavioral activation system/behavioral inhibition system (BIS/BAS), and childhood trauma in patients with depressive disorders. METHODS Patients with depressive disorders (n=294) completed self-report questionnaires evaluating adult attachment style, childhood trauma, and BIS/BAS sensitivity. We performed multiple regression analyses to examine the associations between attachment style and other clinical factors, including childhood trauma and BIS/BAS sensitivity. We also conducted hierarchical regression analyses and simple slope analyses to examine the interaction between BIS/BAS sensitivity and childhood trauma. RESULTS The BAS sensitivity was negatively associated with attachment avoidance. The higher was the BIS/BAS sensitivity, the higher was the level of attachment anxiety. Among childhood trauma, emotional neglect contributed to both dimensions of insecure attachment. The interaction between BAS sensitivity and emotional neglect is significantly associated with attachment anxiety. CONCLUSION This study used data regarding the interrelationship of childhood trauma and basic motivational systems to contribute to the understanding of adult insecure attachment behaviors, a risk factor for depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyu Jung Huh
- Department of Psychiatry, Incheon St. Mary’s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Bo Ram Jeong
- Department of Psychiatry, Incheon St. Mary’s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Hyun Hwang
- Catholic Emotion Research Laboratory, Catholic Biomedical Industrial Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Ho Chae
- Catholic Emotion Research Laboratory, Catholic Biomedical Industrial Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Psychiatry, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Neukel C, Hillmann K, Bertsch K, Bermpohl F, Kluczniok D, Möhler E, Reck C, Resch F, Kaess M, Brunner R, Herpertz SC. [Impact of early life maltreatment of women on the mother-child relationship : Data from mother-child dyads from Heidelberg and Berlin]. DER NERVENARZT 2019; 90:235-242. [PMID: 30643951 DOI: 10.1007/s00115-018-0662-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Early life maltreatment can have severe and long-lasting consequences for the directly affected individual as well as for the next generation. Data from our research including mother-child dyads from Heidelberg and Berlin show that early life maltreatment is associated with behavioral and neural changes including personality traits and attachment style of the affected mothers that negatively affect their relationship with their child. The children of these mothers affected by early life maltreatment have an elevated risk to be maltreated and to develop mental disorders. They also show a heightened cortisol concentration and a reduced inhibition control. It seems to be of importance whether the mother has experienced early life maltreatment but is resilient, meaning that she has not developed a mental disorder (up to the time of examination) or whether in addition to the early life maltreatment she has developed a mental disorder later in life. Children of mothers with early life maltreatment and a lifetime mental disorder seem to be especially exposed to stress and show the greatest impairments and risks. Based on the existing data from our research practical and clinical implications are discussed and one possible intervention in the form of a training of mentalization competencies for parents is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Neukel
- Klinik für Allgemeine Psychiatrie, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Voßstraße 4, 69115, Heidelberg, Deutschland.
| | - K Hillmann
- Klinik für Allgemeine Psychiatrie, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Voßstraße 4, 69115, Heidelberg, Deutschland
| | - K Bertsch
- Klinik für Allgemeine Psychiatrie, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Voßstraße 4, 69115, Heidelberg, Deutschland
| | - F Bermpohl
- Psychiatrische Universitätsklinik der Charité im St. Hedwig-Krankenhaus, Große Hamburger Str. 5-11, 10115, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - D Kluczniok
- Psychiatrische Universitätsklinik der Charité im St. Hedwig-Krankenhaus, Große Hamburger Str. 5-11, 10115, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - E Möhler
- Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Voßstraße 4, 69115, Heidelberg, Deutschland
| | - C Reck
- Lehr- und Forschungseinheit Klinische Psychologie des Kindes- und Jugendalters & Beratungspsychologie, LMU München, Leopoldstr. 13, 80802, München, Deutschland
| | - F Resch
- Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Voßstraße 4, 69115, Heidelberg, Deutschland
| | - M Kaess
- Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Voßstraße 4, 69115, Heidelberg, Deutschland
- Universitätsklinik für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universität Bern, Bolligenstraße 111, Stöckli, 3000, Bern 60, Schweiz
| | - R Brunner
- Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Voßstraße 4, 69115, Heidelberg, Deutschland
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie, Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie, Universität Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 84, 93053, Regensburg, Deutschland
| | - S C Herpertz
- Klinik für Allgemeine Psychiatrie, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Voßstraße 4, 69115, Heidelberg, Deutschland
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10
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Cooke JE, Racine N, Plamondon A, Tough S, Madigan S. Maternal adverse childhood experiences, attachment style, and mental health: Pathways of transmission to child behavior problems. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2019; 93:27-37. [PMID: 31048134 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2019.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Revised: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Investigations have found mothers' adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) confer an intergenerational risk to their children's outcomes. However, mechanisms underlying this transmission have only been partially explained by maternal mental health. Adult attachment insecurity has been shown to mediate the association of ACEs and mental health outcomes, yet an extension of this research to children's behavioral problems has not been examined. OBJECTIVE To examine the cascade from maternal ACEs to risk for child behavioral problems at five years of age, via mothers' attachment insecurity and mental health. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING Participants in the current study were 1994 mother-child dyads from a prospective longitudinal cohort collected from January 2011 to October 2014. METHODS Mothers retrospectively reported their ACEs when children were 36 months of age. When children were 60 months of age, mothers completed measures of their attachment style, depression and anxiety symptoms, and their children's behavior problems. RESULTS Path analysis demonstrated maternal ACEs were associated with children's internalizing problems indirectly via maternal attachment avoidance, attachment anxiety, and depression symptoms, but not directly (β = .05, 95% CI [-.001, .10]). Maternal ACEs indirectly predicted children's externalizing problems via maternal attachment avoidance, attachment anxiety, and depression. A direct effect was also observed from maternal ACEs to child externalizing problems (β = .06, 95% CI [.01, .11]). CONCLUSIONS Maternal ACEs influenced children's risk for poor behavioral outcomes via direct and indirect intermediary pathways. Addressing maternal insecure attachment style and depression symptoms as intervention targets for mothers with histories of ACEs may help to mitigate the intergenerational transmission of risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica E Cooke
- University of Calgary, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Canada
| | - Nicole Racine
- University of Calgary, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Canada
| | | | - Suzanne Tough
- University of Calgary, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Canada; Cumming School of Medicine, Canada
| | - Sheri Madigan
- University of Calgary, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Canada.
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