Intergenerational pathways from maternal childhood maltreatment to offspring adjustment: Mediating roles of attachment, sensitivity, and maternal psychopathology

BACKGROUND: Maternal childhood maltreatment might have long-lasting consequences, not only at the individual level but also within the family system. Yet few studies have used longitudinal observational measures of mother-child interaction to explain the consequences. OBJECTIVE: This study examined the longitudinal links between maternal childhood maltreatment and offspring's emotional and behavioral problems in late childhood, and explored maternal psychopathology, infant attachment, and maternal sensitivity as potential mediators. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Using data from a large study in the Netherlands, we included 832 mothers followed from pregnancy until their children were 10 years old. METHODS: Mothers reported on their childhood maltreatment experiences (Childhood Trauma Questionnaire), and mental health problems during pregnancy and at child age 10 years (Brief Symptom Inventory). Observational measures for attachment (Strange Situation Procedure) at 1 year and maternal sensitivity at 1, 3, 4, and 10 years (Ainsworth and Erickson scales). Maternal reports of child internalizing and externalizing problems at 10 years (Child Behavior Checklist) were obtained. Structural equation modeling was used to test the direct and indirect effects. RESULTS: A direct association between mothers' experiences of maltreatment and greater behavioral and emotional problems in offspring, and an indirect association via maternal psychopathology during pregnancy and at 10 years was found. Findings did not support mediation by infant attachment or maternal sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: Mothers with a history of maltreatment experienced more mental health problems over the years. Underscoring the need for mental health support may help alleviate the lifelong consequences of maltreatment experiences, ultimately reducing the intergenerational transmission of psychopathology.