Le rappresentazioni mentali e il trauma pregresso nei genitori di bambini maltrattati

ABSTRACT: Objective: Attachment research has generated stimulating outcomes regarding early traumatic experiences and the way they shape later responses in adulthood. Accordingly, an important pathway for the understanding of trauma aetiology is that of attachment relationships and related quality of parents’ caregiving. Therefore, aim of the present study is to explore attachment states of mind, interpersonal trauma history, and their interrelation. Method: We compared an at-risk sample, consisting of 106 parents involved in child maltreatment and referred to a centre for the management and intake of child abuse and neglect situations, with 78 non clinical parents. Both samples were administered the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) ,and the Questionario sul Trauma Complesso (ComplexTQ) was completed by a clinician. With regard to the occurrence of early relational trauma, we referred to the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) scoring system in order to assess types of maltreatment prevalence. Results: Results showed statistically significant differences between the two samples in the comparison of attachment states of mind and exposure to early relational trauma. Specifically, parents of maltreated children showed more disorganised attachment representations and experiences of complex trauma throughout childhood. Conclusions: In order to confirm associations between the co-occurrence of adverse experiences, parent attachment, and quality of caregiving, future studies are recommended to better understand the ongoing of the intergenerational transmission of child maltreatment and the risk and protective factors involved. Hence, we underline the importance of evaluating parents current attachment, and early intervention with at-risk population is suggested with the goal of breaking the cycle of child abuse and neglect.