The Mediating Effect of Adverse Childhood Experiences on the Relationship Between Mothers' Postpartum Traumatic Stress and Infant Bonding

To examine the mediating effect of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on the relationship between mothers' postpartum traumatic stress and infant bonding. Participants comprised 452 mothers aged ≥18 years who had healthy infants aged between 6 weeks and 1 year. Data were collected using a personal information form, the Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire-Turkish Version (ACE-TR), City Birth Trauma Scale (CityBiTS), and Postnatal Attachment Questionnaire-Turkish Version (PBQ-TR). Of participants who reported at least one ACE, 15.9% met diagnostic criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder according to the CityBiTS. A higher ACE-TR score (p < 0.001) and the presence of one or more traumatic stress symptoms (p < 0.05) were associated with more significant mother-infant bonding problems. CityBiTS score was a complete intermediary variable between ACE-TR and PBQ-TR scores. Maternal exposure to ACEs is an important determinant of post-partum traumatic stress and negatively affects mother-infant bonding.