Maternal victimization and child trauma: The mediating role of mothers' affect

Abstract

This study examined the effects of maternal childhood and adult victimization on child trauma symptomatology both directly and indirectly via three types of maternal affective problems as mediators (depression, anxiety, and hostility). A high proportion of mothers in the sample reported a history of childhood or adulthood physical and sexual abuse and findings showed that these experiences impacted how victimized women may function as parents. Mothers' adult victimization had a stronger effect on children compared to maternal childhood victimization. The relationship between maternal adult victimization and child trauma symptoms was mediated by maternal depression. Maternal anxiety mediated the relationship between both maternal childhood and adulthood victimization and child trauma symptoms, but anxiety played a buffering role. Maternal hostility was associated with both childhood and adulthood victimization, but did not serve as a mediator. Implications for practice with victimized mothers and their children are discussed.