Maternal Adverse Childhood Experiences and the Quality of Mother–Child Attachment
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26623/philanthropy.v10i1.14084Keywords:
adverse childhood experiences, attachment, childhood, mother and childAbstract
Exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) has long-term consequences persisting into the transition to motherhood. Approximately 58.1% of Indonesian mothers in this sample reported at least one ACE. These traumatic experiences may affect the formation of secure attachment within the mother–child relationship and increase the likelihood of negative outcomes in children’s development. This research aims to examine the association between maternal ACEs and the quality of mother-child attachment, operationalized through the dimensions of closeness and conflict. A quantitative approach with purposive sampling technique was used in this study. A total of 215 mother–child dyads were involved. Spearman’s rank correlation was conducted for hypothesis testing. Results showed that maternal ACEs were negatively correlated with closeness (ρ = −0.217, p = 0.001) and positively correlated with conflict (ρ = 0.311, p < 0.001). The findings indicate that higher exposure to ACEs is associated with lower emotional closeness and higher conflict in the mother–child relationship. This underscores the importance of considering maternal ACEs in understanding attachment quality and may suggest the potential role of protective factors in mitigating the effects of adversity.
References
Akintunde, T. Y., Chen, S., Isangha, S. O., & Di, Q. (2024). Adverse childhood experiences, emotional distress and dissatisfaction with motherhood among first-time mothers: Mediations and child differences. Global Mental Health, 11. https://doi.org/10.1017/gmh.2024.15
Agustin, A., & Kusnadi, S. K. (2019). Kelekatan orangtua terhadap kemampuan kontrol diri pada remaja awal. Jurnal Psikologi Poseidon, 2, 67–80. https://doi.org/10.30649/jpp.v1i1.32
Arulsamy, K., Effendy, E., Mardhiyah, S., Amin, M. M., Husada, M. S., Camellia, V., Stona, A. C., & Finkelstein, E. A. (2025). Prevalence and associations of adverse childhood experiences with anxiety and depressive symptoms in Indonesia. Frontiers in Public Health, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1714676
Berthelot, N., Ensink, K., Bernazzani, O., Normandin, L., Luyten, P., & Fonagy, P. (2015). Intergenerational transmission of attachment in abused and neglected mothers: The role of trauma-specific reflective functioning. Infant Mental Health Journal, 36(2), 200–212. https://doi.org/10.1002/imhj.21499
Bowlby, J. (1982). Attachment and Loss Vol 1 (Basic Books Classics): Vol. I. http://www.amazon.com/Attachment-Volume-Basic-Books-Classics/dp/0465005438
Buchanan, M., Newton-Howes, G., Cunningham, R., McLeod, G. F. H., & Boden, J. M. (2024). The role of social support in reducing the long-term burden of cumulative childhood adversity on adulthood internalising disorder. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 59(12), 2165–2175. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-024-02674-6
Cahayanengdian, A., & Sugito, S. (2022). Perilaku kekerasan ibu terhadap anak selama pandemi COVID-19. Jurnal Obsesi : Jurnal Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, 6(3), 1180–1189. https://doi.org/10.31004/obsesi.v6i3.1686
Cristobal, P. S., Santelices, M. P., & Miranda Fuenzalida, D. A. (2017). Manifestation of trauma: The effect of early traumatic experiences and adult attachment on parental reflective functioning. Frontiers in Psychology, 8(MAR), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00449
Damayanti, A., & Margaretha, M. (2021). Trauma dan kelekatan pada individu dewasa yang menyaksikan KDRT: Kepribadian sebagai moderator. Jurnal Psikologi Integratif, 9(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.14421/jpsi.v9i1.2051
Doyle, C., & Cicchetti, D. (2017). From the cradle to the grave: The effect of adverse caregiving environments on attachment and relationships throughout the lifespan. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 24(2), 203–217. https://doi.org/10.1111/cpsp.12192
Dunford, A. B. (2025). The psychological effects of childhood trauma on adult relationships. Student Works, 1–15.
Farantika, D., Kurniasari, R. D., & Kholida, A. (2020). Attachment building between parents and children during the pandemic COVID-19. International Webinar Series - Educational Revolution in Post Covid Era, 0(0), 39–47. http://conference.um.ac.id/index.php/ksdp/article/view/102
Felitti, V. J., Anda, R. F., Nordenberg, D., Williamson, D. F., Spitz, A. M., Edwards, V., Koss, M. P., & Marks, J. S. (1998). Relationship of childhood abuse and household dysfunction to many of the leading causes of death in adults: The adverse childhood experiences (ACE) study. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 14(4), 245–258. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0749-3797(98)00017-8
Ferreira, T., Matias, M., Carvalho, H., & Matos, P. M. (2024). Parent-partner and parent-child attachment: Links to children’s emotion regulation. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appdev.2023.101617
Garon-Bissonnette, J., Bolduc, M. È. G., Lemieux, R., & Berthelot, N. (2022). Cumulative childhood trauma and complex psychiatric symptoms in pregnant women and expecting men. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-021-04327-x
Girod, S. A., Leerkes, E. M., & Zvara, B. J. (2023). Childhood maltreatment predicts maternal sensitivity to distress: Negative attributions during the transition to parenthood. Journal of Family Psychology, 37(5), 709–719. https://doi.org/10.1037/fam0001088
Groh, A. M., Fearon, R. M. P., van IJzendoorn, M. H., Bakermans-Kranenburg, M. J., & Roisman, G. I. (2017). Attachment in the Early Life Course: Meta-Analytic Evidence for Its Role in Socioemotional Development. Child Development Perspectives, 11(1), 70–76. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdep.12213
Guss, S. S., Morris, A. S., Bosler, C., Castle, S. L., Hays-Grudo, J., Horm, D. M., & Treat, A. (2020). Parents’ adverse childhood experiences and current relationships with their young children: the role of executive function. Early Child Development and Care, 190(7), 1042–1052. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004430.2018.1513921
Helmiyanti, & Fikrie. (2024). Hubungan parenting stress dengan kualitas relasi orang tua-anak pada orang tua dengan anak autisme. Jurnal Psikologi, 1(4), 19. https://doi.org/10.47134/pjp.v1i4.2790
Husnah, W., Novianafari, I. P., & Sholihat, S. `Ilmawati. (2024). Pengasuhan anak pada keluarga dengan orang tua bekerja: Studi kasus Kabupaten Bekasi. Jurnal Masyarakat Dan Budaya, 25(3). https://doi.org/10.55981/jmb.2023.2300
Janse van Rensburg, E., Woolard, A., Hill, N. T. M., Reid, C., Milroy, H., Ohan, J. L., Lin, A., & Chamberlain, C. (2024). The effect of childhood maltreatment on adult survivors’ parental reflective function, and attachment of their children: A systematic review. Development and Psychopathology, 36(3), 1166–1180. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954579423000391
Karakaş, N. M., Sarı, B. A., Aksakal, F. N. B., Özdemir, D. F., & Dağlı, F. Ş. (2021). Mother-child attachment patterns in mothers with and without a history of adverse childhood experiences. Current Psychology, 40(1), 44–55. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-020-00657-9
Kostova, Z., & Matanova, V. L. (2024). Transgenerational trauma and attachment. Frontiers in Psychology, 15(April), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1362561
KPAI. (2020). Hasil Survei Pemenuhan Hak dan Perlindungan Anak pada Masa Pandemi COVID-19. In Komisi Perlindungan Anak Indonesia (Issue 10).
Li, Y. (2023). How does attachment style influence early childhood development. Journal of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, 8, 2185–2191. https://doi.org/10.54097/ehss.v8i.4675
Lutfatulatifah, L. (2020). Dominasi ibu dalam peran pengasuhan anak di Benda Kerep Cirebon. Equalita: Jurnal Studi Gender Dan Anak, 2(1), 67. https://doi.org/10.24235/equalita.v2i1.7057
Maloney, E., Dowling, C., & O’Reilly, G. (2025). Adverse childhood experiences and interpersonal functioning in adulthood: A systemic review. European Journal of Trauma and Dissociation, 9(2). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejtd.2025.100534
Mathew, F., Xavier, T., E. S, P., T B, B., & James, A. (2023). Concept of child rearing in India: A comparison between maternal and parental views. International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews, 4(8), 1195–1197. https://doi.org/10.55248/gengpi.4.823.50645
Muarifah, A., Mashar, R., Hashim, I. H. M., Hidayah, N., & Oktaviani, F. (2022). Aggression in adolescents: The role of mother-child attachment and self-esteem. Behavioral Sciences, 12(5). https://doi.org/10.3390/bs12050147
Musick, K., Meier, A., & Flood, S. (2016). How parents fare: Mothers’ and fathers’ subjective well-being in time with children. American Sociological Review, 81(5), 1069–1095. https://doi.org/10.1177/0003122416663917
Nakajima, M. (2025). The role of interpersonal emotion regulation tendencies in the association between maternal childhood maltreatment and social support in parenting. Child Abuse and Neglect, 160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2024.107197
Rahapsari, S., Puri, V. G. S., & Putri, A. K. (2021). An Indonesian adaptation of the World Health Organization adverse childhood experiences international questionnaire (WHO ACE-IQ) as a screening instrument for adults. Gadjah Mada Journal of Psychology (GamaJoP), 7(1), 115. https://doi.org/10.22146/gamajop.64996
Rochmah, S. L., Maryani, K., & Fahmi, F. (2023). The influence of parental attachment on the independence of 5-6 years old children. TEMATIK: Jurnal Pemikiran Dan Penelitian Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, 9(1), 55. https://doi.org/10.26858/tematik.v9i1.46487
Rostad, W. L., & Whitaker, D. J. (2016). The association between reflective functioning and parent–child relationship quality. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 25(7), 2164–2177. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-016-0388-7
Sari, Q. A. F., & Hapsari, A. D. (2022). The effect of childhood traumatic experiences on emotion regulation and adult attachment styles in early adulthood. Journal for the Child Development, Exceptionality and Education, 3(2), 59–70.
Savage, L. É., Tarabulsy, G. M., Pearson, J., Collin-Vézina, D., & Gagné, L. M. (2019). Maternal history of childhood maltreatment and later parenting behavior: A meta-analysis. Development and Psychopathology, 31(1), 9–21. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954579418001542
Sawyer, K., Kempe, S., Carwana, M., & Racine, N. (2024). Global and inclusive considerations for the future of ACEs research. Child Protection and Practice, 3(March), 100054. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chipro.2024.100054
Septiyani, D. A., & Kristiana, I. F. (2025). Parenting conflicts in young adults with adverse childhood experiences: Family conflict theory analysis. Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Social Science (ICSS), 4(1), 221–231. https://doi.org/10.59188/icss.v4i1.251
Sirparanta, A. E., Danner Touati, C., Cyr, C., & Miljkovitch, R. (2025). Parental history of childhood maltreatment and offspring attachment insecurity and disorganization: Two meta-analyses. Trauma, Violence, and Abuse, 26(3), 420–435. https://doi.org/10.1177/15248380241282995
Tambelli, R., Cimino, S., Cerniglia, L., & Ballarotto, G. (2015). Early maternal relational traumatic experiences and psychopathological symptoms: A longitudinal study on mother-infant and father-infant interactions. Scientific Reports, 5. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep13984
Widiningsih, Y., & Felayati. (2020). Bentuk perilaku kekerasan ibu terhadap anak (Studi pada ibu-ibu masyarakat miskin di Kota Pekanbaru Provinsi Riau). Gender Equality: International Journal of Child and Gender Studies, 6(2), 11–22. https://jurnal.ar-raniry.ac.id/index.php/equality/article/view/7648/4689
Widom, C. S., Czaja, S. J., Kozakowski, S. S., & Chauhan, P. (2018). Does adult attachment style mediate the relationship between childhood maltreatment and mental and physical health outcomes? Child Abuse and Neglect, 76(August 2015), 533–545. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2017.05.002
Widyorini, E., Roswita, M. Y., Primastuti, E., & Wijaya, D. A. (2022). The role of resilience towards the correlation between adverse childhood experiences and post-traumatic growth. The Open Psychology Journal, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.2174/18743501-v15-e2203280
Wright, B., Fearon, P., Garside, M., Tsappis, E., Amoah, E., Glaser, D., Allgar, V., Minnis, H., Woolgar, M., Churchill, R., McMillan, D., Fonagy, P., O’Sullivan, A., & McHale, M. (2023). Routinely used interventions to improve attachment in infants and young children: a national survey and two systematic reviews. Health Technology Assessment, 27(2), VII–102. https://doi.org/10.3310/IVCN8847
Zhou, Q., Chew, P., Oei, A., Chu, C. M., Ong, M., & Hoo, E. (2025). Longitudinal effects of cumulative adverse childhood experiences on internalizing and externalizing problems in adolescents in out-of-home care: Emotion dysregulation as a mediator. Adversity and Resilience Science, 6(4), 413–429. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42844-024-00161-0
Ziliwu, G. M. A., Wibhowo, C., & Hardjanto, G. (2020). Tipe kelekatan masa dewasa awal ditinjau dari trauma masa anak. Jurnal Psikologi Klinis Indonesia, 5(2), 5–16. https://jurnal.ipkindonesia.or.id/index.php/jpki/article/view/jpki-5-2-2020-5-16
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Cinta Aurellia Az Zahra, Rulita Hendriyani
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
The author who will publish the manuscript at Philanthropy: Journal of Psychology, agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0), that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
