Researchers at King’s College London and at Canterbury Christ Church University analysed data from over 9,000 mothers and their children in Children of the 90s. 

They looked at each mother’s history of harsh treatment during childhood, as well as their child’s experience of emotional and behavioural difficulties during childhood and adolescence.

The study found a significant link between the two, with almost half (49%) of children whose mothers had been mistreated as children developing emotional and behavioural difficulties such as excessive worrying or anger at 10, 11 and 13 years of age. 

Mothers with troubled childhoods were also significantly more likely to have a lower level of education, to have a psychiatric history, to drink and smoke more in pregnancy and to have lower social support.

The study offers a way to combat the psychological difficulties experienced by children and to promote good mental health in future generations. This entails offering mothers with troubled childhoods and low mood access to psychological and social support, including offering parenting programmes aimed at fostering sensitive and warm caregiving practices.

 Dr Susan Pawlby, joint senior author and member of the research team at King's College London, said:

‘It is important that vulnerable women are identified as early as possible, such as during pregnancy when they routinely come into contact with healthcare services, and that support and interventions are offered on an ongoing and regular basis going forward.’

Dr Trudi Seneviratne, chair of the perinatal faculty at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, added:

‘One in five women suffer from mental health problems during pregnancy. If left untreated, this can have devastating consequences for both mother and baby, as well as their families.

‘This study demonstrates the transgenerational impact of trauma and the importance of nurturing mothers’ mental wellbeing during and after pregnancy, to ensure that their children get the best start in life.’