Prenatal Attachment, Parental Confidence, and Mental Health in Expecting Parents: The Role of Childhood Trauma.

INTRODUCTION

Exposure to childhood abuse or neglect may lead to negative outcomes during pregnancy in expecting parents, which may contribute to a negative experience of childbearing and have consequences for the developing fetus. This study examined the associations between exposure to childhood abuse or neglect, psychological symptoms, prenatal attachment, and perception of parental competence in expectant parents.

METHODS

Individuals at low sociodemographic risk were recruited in community perinatal care settings and completed self-report assessment measures of depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, dissociation, personality disorders, perception of parental competence, and prenatal attachment.

RESULTS

There were 322 participants (78% women), including 91 adults with a history of childhood abuse or neglect, Participants who were exposed to childhood abuse or neglect reported significantly higher levels of symptoms on all indices of mental health than nonexposed adults, even when controlling for sociodemographic risks. However, both groups reported similar levels of prenatal attachment and parental confidence. The impact of childhood maltreatment was similar in men and women. Structural equation modeling showed that childhood abuse or neglect leads to poor mental health and that poor mental health, but not childhood maltreatment, is associated with low parental confidence and prenatal attachment.

DISCUSSION: Psychological symptoms are frequent in expectant parents who experienced maltreatment during their childhood. However, childhood abuse or neglect is not associated with their attitude regarding parenthood and the child in the absence of psychopathology. Supporting mental health may be an important target of parental programs offered during pregnancy to women and men with a history of childhood abuse or neglect.