Attachment, maternal childhood trauma, and risk of autism in offspring

Abstract

Objective: Maternal childhood trauma and insecure attachment styles have each been implicated in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children, yet their combined influence is not well understood. This study examined associations between these maternal factors and ASD status in children. Methods: Thirty-two ASD dyads and thirty typically developing control dyads, children aged 0-5 years (91% male; M = 3.02 years, SD = 1.31), were enrolled. Mothers completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and Relationship Scales Questionnaire (RSQ); children were assessed with the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). Between-group differences were investigated, and a binary logistic regression adjusting for CTQ total score, socioeconomic status, child age, and birth weight was performed to assess the association of maternal factors with ASD status. Results: Although the ASD group mothers reported slightly higher trauma scores, particularly in emotional abuse, these differences were not statistically significant. However, they showed significantly elevated preoccupied and dismissing attachment styles and lower secure attachment compared to the control group. In a binary logistic regression model, preoccupied attachment emerged as a robust predictor of ASD status (B = 1.87, p = 0.023; OR = 6.48), even when controlling for maternal childhood trauma, socioeconomic status, child age, and birth weight. Other attachment styles and the total maternal childhood trauma score did not reach significance. Conclusion: These findings suggest that mothers of children with ASD are likely to display preoccupied attachment styles, underscoring the importance of addressing maternal attachment issues in early interventions.