Intergenerational Continuity of Intimate Partner Violence and Attachment Representations in Cameroonian Children: Findings From a Three-Generation Study

Intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization is associated with insecure attachment and psychological distress, which can have profound implications for parenting. Yet, studies are needed to better understand the intergenerational implications of IPV, especially in non-Western countries. This study examines how experiences of IPV in grandmothers may have cascading effects on maternal IPV and mental health, with negative implications for children's attachment in Cameroon. Fifty-four families completed the study materials including validated questionnaires (grandmothers, mothers) and an attachment story completion task (preschool-aged children). Sequential mediation models were tested. The mediation was only significant for disorganized attachment. Grandmothers' IPV victimization was associated with greater scores of disorganized attachment in children (<i>c</i> = 0.16; 95% CI [0.03, 0.28]), via its association with increased IPV victimization in mothers, which was in turn associated with increased maternal distress (<i>c</i>₂ = 0.05; [0.00, 0.11]). This study provides unique insights into attachment representations of Cameroonian children in the context of intergenerational IPV. Intervention on IPV and maternal mental health may improve child and family well-being.