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Turk Psikiyatri Dergisi = Turkish... 2023Maternal attachment representations and children's attachment to their mothers have been shown to be related while this association varies according to socioeconomic...
OBJECTIVE
Maternal attachment representations and children's attachment to their mothers have been shown to be related while this association varies according to socioeconomic risk factors that these mother-child dyads are experiencing. In this regard, this study aims to investigate the intergenerational transmission of attachment between highly disadvantaged incarcerated mothers and their co-residing children and the mediating role of maternal sensitivity in the relationship between maternal and children's attachment representations.
METHOD
The study sample consists of 84 incarcerated mothers and their co-residing children. The maternal attachment was evaluated using the Doll Story Completion Task. Children's attachment and maternal sensitivity were assessed based on a 45-minute semi-structured mother-child interaction observation and rated through structured coding instruments.
RESULTS
Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that mothers' anxious and avoidant attachment positively predicted children's disorganized attachment behaviors. Moreover, analyses showed that maternal sensitivity did not mediate the relationship between maternal and child attachment representations.
CONCLUSION
Findings partially supported the discussion emphasizing that attachment transmission, as well as the mediating role of maternal sensitivity on this transmission, appeared to be weaker for disadvantaged mother-child dyads. Implications for future intervention programs aiming to support the attachment security and reduce the disorganization of children co-residing with their incarcerated mothers are discussed.
Topics: Humans; Female; Mothers; Behavior Therapy; Mother-Child Relations; Risk Factors; Prisoners
PubMed: 37724643
DOI: 10.5080/u26647 -
Child Abuse & Neglect Jul 2023A history of childhood maltreatment often has a negative and long-lasting impact across different domains in life. A childhood maltreatment experience in parents may...
Maternal history of maltreatment and offspring's emotional and behavioral problems in adolescence: Do family factors contribute to the intergenerational risk transmission?
BACKGROUND
A history of childhood maltreatment often has a negative and long-lasting impact across different domains in life. A childhood maltreatment experience in parents may even affect the next generation. So far, the effects of family factors have been considered in the intergenerational transmission of adversity across the childhood years, but whether the effects remain until adolescence is less clear.
OBJECTIVE
Using data from a large population-based study in the Netherlands, including both mother and child reports, we examined whether maternal childhood maltreatment history is associated with increased mental health problems in offspring and the role of family functioning and harsh parenting as a potential pathway.
PARTICIPANTS
4912 adolescents (aged 13 years) and their mothers were recruited in the Generation R study.
METHODS
Mothers reported childhood maltreatment experiences using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), and adolescents reported on their mental health using the Youth Self Report (YSR). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the association of maternal childhood maltreatment on mental health problems in offspring and family functioning and harsh parenting as mechanisms to explain this association.
RESULTS
Adolescents of mothers with a history of maltreatment had greater internalizing (β = 0.07, p < .01) and externalizing problems (β = 0.08, p < .01). Moreover, we found an indirect effect via family functioning over time and harsh parenting at ages 3 and 8 years which mediated this association.
CONCLUSION
We concluded an intergenerational effect of maternal childhood maltreatment on adolescents internalizing and externalizing problems. The findings might enable earlier intervention within the family context to mitigate the consequences of maternal childhood maltreatment.
Topics: Child; Female; Humans; Adolescent; Problem Behavior; Child Abuse; Mothers; Emotions; Parenting
PubMed: 37172532
DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106228 -
Research on Child and Adolescent... Nov 2023Transactional theory and the coercive family process model have illustrated how the parent-child relationship is reciprocal. Emerging research using advanced statistical...
Transactional theory and the coercive family process model have illustrated how the parent-child relationship is reciprocal. Emerging research using advanced statistical methods has examined these theories, but further investigations are necessary. In this study, we utilised linked health data on maternal mental health disorders and explored their relationship with child problem behaviours via the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire for over 13 years. We accessed data from the Millennium Cohort Study, linked to anonymised individual-level population-scale health and administrative data within the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) Databank. We used Bayesian Structural Equation Modelling, specifically Random-Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Models, to analyse the relationships between mothers and their children. We then explored these models with the addition of time-invariant covariates. We found that a mother's mental health was strongly associated over time, as were children's problem behaviours. We found mixed evidence for bi-directional relationships, with only emotional problems showing bi-directional associations in mid to late childhood. Only child-to-mother pathways were identified for the overall problem behaviour score and peer problems; no associations were found for conduct problems or hyperactivity. All models had strong between-effects and clear socioeconomic and sex differences. We encourage the use of whole family-based support for mental health and problem behaviours, and recommend that socioeconomic, sex and wider differences should be considered as factors in tailoring family-based interventions and support.
Topics: Child; Humans; Female; Male; Problem Behavior; Mental Health; Cohort Studies; Bayes Theorem; Mothers
PubMed: 37400731
DOI: 10.1007/s10802-023-01086-5 -
Social Science Research Aug 2023Balancing parenthood and employment can be challenging and distressing, particularly for single mothers. At the same time, transitioning to employment can improve the...
Balancing parenthood and employment can be challenging and distressing, particularly for single mothers. At the same time, transitioning to employment can improve the financial situations of single mothers and provide them with access to social networks, which can have beneficial effects on their health and well-being. Currently, however, it is not well understood whether the overall impact of employment on single mothers is positive or negative, and to what extent it differs from the impact of employment on partnered mothers. Building on the literature on work-family conflict, we investigate the differential effects of employment transitions on the health and well-being of single mothers and partnered mothers. Using longitudinal data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (1992-2016), we apply panel regression techniques that address the potential endogeneity of maternal employment, as well as the dynamic nature of the relationship between employment transitions and maternal health and well-being. We find that employment has a positive impact on single mothers, and that single mothers benefit from employment significantly more than partnered mothers. Surprisingly, income does not appear to be an important driver of these results. Overall, our findings suggest that employment plays a key role in the well-being of single mothers.
Topics: Humans; Female; Maternal Health; Mothers; Germany; Employment; Income
PubMed: 37597922
DOI: 10.1016/j.ssresearch.2023.102906 -
Child Abuse & Neglect Jul 2023Due to its diversifying and appealing content, short-form videos have developed very rapidly since its emergence, with more and more users enjoying the transient...
BACKGROUND
Due to its diversifying and appealing content, short-form videos have developed very rapidly since its emergence, with more and more users enjoying the transient pleasures from such videos, which have triggered widespread concern over the detrimental influence of short-form video addiction on adolescent health.
OBJECTIVE
The present study intended to examine the longitudinal relations among paternal/maternal harsh parenting, adolescents' emotional dysregulation and their short-form video addiction using a cross-lagged longitudinal design.
PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING
We recruited a sample of 1064 adolescent students from two middle schools located in rural areas of eastern China.
METHODS
Adolescents reported on paternal and maternal harsh parenting, their own emotional dysregulation and short-form video addiction at three time points across two years. Autoregressive and cross-lagged models were analyzed using three-wave variables to test the associations among parental (maternal) harsh parenting, adolescent emotional dysregulation, and short-form video addiction. A multi-group analysis was used to test for potential gender differences in the model.
RESULTS
We found that harsh fathering but not harsh mothering contributed to adolescent emotional dysregulation, which in turn predicted adolescent short-form video addiction. However, the reverse longitudinal relationships did not exist. Multiple group analyses revealed that the predictive effect of harsh fathering on adolescent emotional dysregulation was stronger in boys.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings help clarify the complex relationships among harsh parenting, adolescent emotional dysregulation and short-form addiction, providing more effective guidance for prevention against adolescent short-form video addiction.
Topics: Male; Female; Humans; Adolescent; Parenting; Fathers; Mothers; Parents; Students
PubMed: 37192589
DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106236 -
Child Abuse & Neglect Jul 2023The negative effects of maternal adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) may have a direct intergenerational effect on a child's behavior. This topic has been widely...
BACKGROUND
The negative effects of maternal adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) may have a direct intergenerational effect on a child's behavior. This topic has been widely examined, but few studies have explored the underlying mechanism and protective factors influencing maternal ACEs and offspring's behavioral problems in the Chinese context.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to investigate the mediating effect of emotional dysregulation on the relationship between maternal ACEs and offspring behavior and examine whether self-compassion can moderate this association.
PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING
The participants were 2282 preschoolers (52 % male) with a mean age of M = 62.63 months (SD = 9.28) and their mothers. They were from northern, central, and southern Anhui Province China, and data were collected in relation to the family's socioeconomic status by population density of children in the region.
METHODS
Data were collected from the mothers with respect to maternal ACEs, emotional dysregulation, and self-compassion. Mothers provided information regarding children's behavior and demographic characteristics. A moderated mediation model was analyzed through SPSS.
RESULTS
First, the presence of maternal ACEs was positively associated with offspring behavioral problems. Second, maternal emotional dysregulation mediated the relationship between ACEs and offspring behavioral problems. Third, mothers' self-compassion moderated the indirect relationship between ACEs and offspring behavioral problems via emotional dysregulation.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings highlight the critical role of emotional dysregulation and self-compassion in the relationship between maternal ACEs and offspring behavioral problems. Interventions should target maternal emotional dysregulation and self-compassion to minimize the risk of intergeneration transmission of negative effects.
Topics: Female; Child; Humans; Male; Child, Preschool; Adverse Childhood Experiences; Problem Behavior; Self-Compassion; Mothers; Child Behavior
PubMed: 37150119
DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106226 -
Current Psychiatry Reports Apr 2024This review aims to outline some consequences that maternal history of trauma with and without related psychopathology, such as posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), can... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
This review aims to outline some consequences that maternal history of trauma with and without related psychopathology, such as posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), can have on their children's development and functioning. It then addresses mechanisms through which intergenerational transmission of interpersonal violence (IPV) and related psychopathology may occur.
RECENT FINDINGS
Findings include the effects of maternal IPV experience and related psychopathology on child social-emotional and biologically-based outcomes. This includes increased developmental disturbances and child psychopathology, as well as physiological factors. Secondly, the review focuses on psychobiological mechanisms by which maternal experience of IPV and related psychopathology likely trigger intergenerational effects. Maternal IPV and related psychopathology can have a negative impact on several areas of their child's life including development, interactive behavior, psychopathology, and physiology. This transmission may partially be due to fetal and perinatal processes, genetic and epigenetic effects, and interactions with their parents.
Topics: Child; Humans; Female; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Emotions; Parents; Family; Problem Behavior; Mothers
PubMed: 38427205
DOI: 10.1007/s11920-024-01491-7 -
Infant Behavior & Development Aug 2023Studies have reported mixed findings regarding the effects of mother-infant interaction and maternal distress on children's negative emotional reactivity. In the current...
Mother-infant interaction and maternal postnatal psychological distress are associated with negative emotional reactivity among infants and toddlers- A FinnBrain Birth Cohort study.
Studies have reported mixed findings regarding the effects of mother-infant interaction and maternal distress on children's negative emotional reactivity. In the current study (N = 134 and 107), we examined the effects of maternal Emotional Availability (sensitivity, structuring, non-intrusiveness and non-hostility) and maternal psychological distress on negative reactivity among children in the FinnBrain birth cohort study. In addition, the possible moderating effect of mother-infant interaction on the associations between maternal psychological distress and children's negative reactivity was examined. We used questionnaires to asses maternal psychological distress, observations of mother-infant interaction and observations as well maternal reports of child temperament to overcome the key limitations of many studies relying on single-method assessments. Our results showed that higher maternal sensitivity and structuring at 8 months of child's age were associated with lower mother-reported negative reactivity among children at 24 months. Higher maternal postnatal distress associated with higher parent-reported negative reactivity in children at 12 and 24 months of age when the effects of prenatal distress and the quality of mother-infant interaction were controlled for. Mother-infant interaction and maternal psychological distress did not associate with observations of child negative reactivity. We found no moderation effects of mother-infant interaction regarding the associations between maternal distress and children's negative emotional reactivity. Our findings reflect the importance of developing interventions to reduce the maternal distress symptoms while enhancing maternal sensitivity and structuring to prevent the possible harmful effects of these on child negative reactivity.
Topics: Female; Pregnancy; Humans; Infant; Child, Preschool; Cohort Studies; Mother-Child Relations; Emotions; Mothers; Psychological Distress
PubMed: 37285708
DOI: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2023.101843 -
International Breastfeeding Journal Oct 2023Breastfeeding up to two years and beyond supports the health and neurobiological development of a child. Nevertheless, mothers experience criticism from health... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Breastfeeding up to two years and beyond supports the health and neurobiological development of a child. Nevertheless, mothers experience criticism from health professionals towards breastfeeding beyond 12 months. Competence related to breastfeeding counselling is defined as minimum knowledge, skills and attitudes that all health professionals should have to protect, promote and support breastfeeding. Professionals' education related to breastfeeding beyond 12 months is insufficient worldwide which challenges the competent and evidence-based support mothers wish for.
METHODS
This systematic review aimed to synthesize the existing literature on health professionals' competencies regarding breastfeeding beyond 12 months. The search was limited to peer-reviewed scientific papers published between 2000 and 2022 that focused on the competencies of health professionals regarding breastfeeding beyond 12 months. Seven databases were searched, and of the 884 studies retrieved, seven were included in the review. The studies were subjected to the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklists. The data were analyzed using deductive thematic analysis, driven by the concept of competence.
RESULTS
All the dimensions of competence could be found in the data. Health professionals' knowledge or skills related to breastfeeding beyond 12 months were explored in all seven studies, and attitudes towards breastfeeding beyond 12 months were explored in four studies. The main themes identified were Knowledge Combined with Skills, and Attitudes. The main theme, Knowledge Combined with Skills, was formed out of eight themes: perceptions regarding nutritional value, perceptions regarding economic value, perceptions regarding family interaction, perceptions regarding impacts on the mother's wellbeing, perceptions regarding impacts on the child's wellbeing, perceptions regarding suitable duration, perceptions regarding recommendations, and counseling skills. The attitudes varied and therefore the Attitudes main theme consisted of three themes: promotive attitudes, hostile attitudes, and passive attitudes towards breastfeeding beyond 12 months.
CONCLUSIONS
Health professionals' knowledge and skills include several dimensions and vary substantially. Health professionals' attitudes vary between hostile and supportive and influence professionals' advice regarding breastfeeding beyond 12 months. The results suggested that there is considerable variation in health professionals' competencies, which emphasizes the importance of education regarding breastfeeding beyond 12 months.
Topics: Female; Child; Humans; Breast Feeding; Health Personnel; Mothers; Attitude of Health Personnel
PubMed: 37904223
DOI: 10.1186/s13006-023-00591-z -
International Breastfeeding Journal Aug 2023Many women have low confidence in breastfeeding and have concerns regarding low milk volume or discomfort with breastfeeding. Antenatal hand expression may be an...
BACKGROUND
Many women have low confidence in breastfeeding and have concerns regarding low milk volume or discomfort with breastfeeding. Antenatal hand expression may be an opportunity to help women feel more comfortable with breastfeeding and help promote exclusive breastfeeding. A study at a hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. assessed the feasibility of teaching antenatal hand expression at 39 weeks among socioeconomically disadvantaged populations, overall participant satisfaction and adoption of hand expression and breastfeeding.
METHODS
From March 2020 to June 2021, women recruited at 34-39 weeks were taught to hand express, collect, and store colostrum. Starting from 39 weeks, participants were asked to practice hand expression 1-3 times / day until delivery, log their experiences, and store colostrum expressed. Women were contacted to encourage continued hand expression and answer any questions. Postpartum, a survey assessed satisfaction with hand expression and issues encountered. The survey also inquired about breastfeeding plans and barriers, and whether women were exclusively breastfeeding (defined as infants who received only breastmilk from the time of birth). Chart review of postpartum or well-baby visit notes determined whether women continued breastfeeding.
RESULTS
Of the 29 participants, 72% (21/29) reported hand expressing at home, and no women reported contractions when hand expressing. Participants rated mean satisfaction of 8.1/10 (SD = 1.62) with antenatal hand expression, mean satisfaction of 9.4/10 (SD = 0.90) toward hand expression education, mean likelihood of 9.4/10 (SD = 1.24) recommending hand expression to others, and a mean score of 8.1/10 (SD = 1.69) on how helpful hand expression was in breastfeeding initiation. 90% (26/29) of women initiated breastfeeding after birth and 72% (21/29) exclusively breastfed on discharge, but only 11/29 (38%) continued exclusively breastfeeding when re-assessed 4-6 weeks postpartum. Barriers included maternal discomfort, low milk supply, and maternal or infant illness.
CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that women in an urban setting would be willing to practice antenatal hand expression. A larger and adequately powered study could be feasible to determine associations between antenatal hand expression and breastfeeding rates and confidence.
Topics: Infant; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Breast Feeding; Mothers; Feasibility Studies; Postpartum Period; Hospitals
PubMed: 37563682
DOI: 10.1186/s13006-023-00578-w