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Review
. 2024 Apr;26(4):166-175.
doi: 10.1007/s11920-024-01491-7. Epub 2024 Mar 1.

The Impact of Maternal Interpersonal Violent Trauma and Related Psychopathology on Child Outcomes and Intergenerational Transmission

Shannen Graf  1   2 , Daniel S Schechter  3   4   5
Affiliations
Review

The Impact of Maternal Interpersonal Violent Trauma and Related Psychopathology on Child Outcomes and Intergenerational Transmission

Shannen Graf et al. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2024 Apr.

Abstract

Purpose of review: This review aims to outline some consequences that maternal history of trauma with and without related psychopathology, such as posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), can have on their children's development and functioning. It then addresses mechanisms through which intergenerational transmission of interpersonal violence (IPV) and related psychopathology may occur.

Recent findings: Findings include the effects of maternal IPV experience and related psychopathology on child social-emotional and biologically-based outcomes. This includes increased developmental disturbances and child psychopathology, as well as physiological factors. Secondly, the review focuses on psychobiological mechanisms by which maternal experience of IPV and related psychopathology likely trigger intergenerational effects. Maternal IPV and related psychopathology can have a negative impact on several areas of their child's life including development, interactive behavior, psychopathology, and physiology. This transmission may partially be due to fetal and perinatal processes, genetic and epigenetic effects, and interactions with their parents.

Keywords: Child outcomes; Intergenerational transmission of trauma; Interpersonal violence; Maternal trauma; Posttraumatic stress disorder.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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