1. The impact of physical maltreatment history on the adolescent mother-infant relationship: mediating and moderating effects during the transition to early parenthood.
- Author
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Milan, Stephanie, Lewis, Jessica, Ethier, Kathleen, Kershaw, Trace, and IcKovics, Jeannette R.
- Subjects
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MOTHER-infant relationship , *TEENAGE mothers , *ATTACHMENT behavior , *PARENTHOOD , *PREGNANCY , *CHILDBIRTH , *TEENAGE pregnancy , *CHILD abuse & psychology , *CHILD abuse , *COMPARATIVE studies , *MATERNAL age , *RESEARCH methodology , *MEDICAL cooperation , *MOTHER-child relationship , *PARENTING , *PSYCHOANALYTIC interpretation , *RESEARCH , *RESEARCH funding , *SOCIAL support , *EVALUATION research , *PSYCHOLOGY - Abstract
Using attachment theory as a framework, this paper examines how pregnant adolescents' experiences of physical maltreatment during childhood influence the subsequent mother-infant relationship in 203 low-income adolescents followed from the 3rd trimester of pregnancy through the 1st year of parenthood. The relation between physical maltreatment history and early difficulty in the mother-infant relationship was mediated by adolescents' evaluations of the relationship with their primary caretaker and the feelings they associated with motherhood measured prior to childbirth. In addition, a supportive romantic relationship during pregnancy acted as a protective factor by moderating the impact of maltreatment history on the quality of the subsequent mother-infant relationship. Findings support the importance of assessments and interventions that consider the social context and relational history of pregnant and parenting adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2004
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