A Pilot Study on the Influence of Maternal Attachment Representations on Maternal Heart Rate Mediated by Perceived Stress

TL;DR

This study explores how secure maternal attachment influences stress and heart rate, showing that secure attachment reduces both perceived stress and physiological responses.

Contribution

The study demonstrates that perceived stress mediates the relationship between secure attachment and heart rate in mothers.

Findings

Secure attachment representation significantly reduces perceived daily stress and heart rate in mothers.

Perceived stress mediates the association between secure attachment and heart rate.

The findings highlight the importance of attachment representations in maternal physiological and psychological well-being.

Abstract

Past findings have suggested that there is a link between attachment representations and reactions towards stress (subjective and physiological). The aim of this study was to examine the mediating effect of perceived stress on the association between attachment representation and physiological changes, specifically heart rate. As part of a long-term study investigating the transgenerational transmission of childhood maltreatment, n = 163 mothers participated in multiple assessments. The Adult Attachment Projective Picture System (AAP) was used to measure maternal attachment representation, categorizing individuals as securely or insecurely attached. Perceived daily stress was assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale 14 (PSS-14), and maternal baseline heart rate (HR) was measured via electrocardiography during a laboratory visit. The results revealed that the representation of secure attachment had a significant reducing effect on both the mother’s perceived daily stress and heart rate. Furthermore, the association between secure attachment representation and heart rate was mediated by perceived stress. This study emphasizes the role of attachment representation in maternal well-being, highlighting its impact on stress and physiological responses.

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