HISTORY OF CHILDHOOD ABUSE AND MOTHER–INFANT INTERACTION: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF OBSERVATIONAL STUDIES

Kyla Vaillancourt*, Susan Pawlby, R. M.Pasco Fearon

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

44 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Literature that has examined maternal self-reported history of abuse and an observational assessment of infant-mother interaction were reviewed. Electronic databases were searched, and studies that met predefined criteria were included. Fourteen (12 independent samples) studies were included and assessed for quality using the Effective Public Health Practice Project tool (National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools, 2008). Ten of the 14 studies found a direct or an indirect relationship between self-reported abuse and observed caregiving. The small number of studies and variation in sample characteristics and measurement limit conclusions. Of the studies that were rated of the highest quality, there is some consistency showing that the effect of maternal abuse history on caregiving may be via a third variable (i.e., stress reactivity or depressive symptoms). The current review discusses strengths and limitations of the existing literature and offers suggestions for future research.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)226-248
Number of pages23
JournalInfant Mental Health Journal
Volume38
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2017

Keywords

  • attachment
  • caregiving
  • childhood abuse
  • infant-mother interaction
  • postpartum depression
  • stress

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