The role of childhood trauma and attachment state of mind in mothers' birth experiences

Abstract

Negative birth experiences are common. It is yet unclear which women may be most at risk already before pregnancy. Childhood trauma and non-autonoumous/unresolved attachment state of mind may affect how women experience giving birth. This study used longitudinal data to test childhood trauma and attachment state of mind as predictors of birth experience in at-risk sample of primipara women (N = 193). The Adverse Childhood Experiences questionnaire and the Adult Attachment interview were administered during pregnancy, and women reported about their birth experience three months postpartum. Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling was applied to answer the research questions. Childhood physical neglect and parental substance abuse were predictive of a more negative birth experience, while attachment state of mind was not associated with how women experienced giving birth. Cross-validation suggests that these findings may be considered externally valid. Further research using validated measures on birth experience are needed.

Keywords: Adverse childhood experiences; PLS-SEM; adult attachment interview; attachment state of mind; birth experience; childhood trauma.