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


Bingöl F. B., Yılmaz Z. D. K., DİŞSİZ M., BİLGİN Z., KARAKOÇ A., DEMİRGÖZ BAL M.

Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, cilt.64, sa.4, ss.47-55, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, SSCI, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 64 Sayı: 4
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.3928/02793695-20250821-03
  • Dergi Adı: Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Psycinfo, DIALNET, Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest), Sociology Source Ultimate (EBSCO)
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.47-55
  • Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

PURPOSE: To examine the mediating effect of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on the relationship between mothers’ postpartum traumatic stress and infant bonding. METHOD: 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). RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSION: Maternal exposure to ACEs is an important determinant of postpartum traumatic stress and negatively affects mother–infant bonding.