Maternal adverse childhood experiences, postnatal depression, and early parenting behaviors: a study of microcoded mother–infant interaction in early infancy

Human parenting behaviors (HPBs)—including gaze, motherese, affectionate touch, and positive affect—are essential for child development and can be precisely measured during the first weeks of life (2–8 weeks) through microcoding of videotaped interactions. This study examined whether maternal exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) affects HPBs and whether postnatal depressive symptoms mediate this relationship. The sample included 272 mother–infant dyads from São Paulo, Brazil (mean maternal age: 27.2 ± 5.2 years, 67% with monthly income < US$317; infants: 48.5% female, mean age: 33 ± 19 days). Maternal ACEs and depressive symptoms were self-reported during pregnancy and postnatally, respectively. HPBs were assessed using the Coding Interactive Behavior (CIB) manual. Results showed that maternal ACEs were significantly associated with higher postnatal depressive symptoms ( β = 0.665, p < 0.001), but neither a direct nor indirect association with HPBs was observed. These findings suggest that ACE-related disruptions in parenting may not manifest during the early weeks of life but could emerge later as caregiving demands increase. This study is among the few to use microcoded interaction analysis at this early stage of life and highlights the need for continued research into the complex pathways linking ACEs, maternal mental health, and parenting behaviors over time.