Factors Related to Maternal Violence: Longitudinal Research from Prenatal to Age Four

A mother’s violent behavior toward her child is related to her psychological
well-being. Mothers who were violent with their children had been raised by a mother with an inappropriate
parenting attitude. Anxiety related to this attitude was also associated with violent maternal behavior. Mothers
who demonstrated low level of attachment to their child from the fetus to 4 years of age engaged in violence
toward their 4-year-old children. Maternal violence was also associated with decreased bonding with the baby
during pregnancy. Comparisons of children of violent mothers with those of non-violent mothers showed that the
former had significantly more frequent problem behaviors. KEY WORDS: Maternal violence, prenatal,
longitudinal study, attachment, mother-child relationship