%0 Journal Article %J Journal of abnormal child psychology %D 2004 %T The impact of physical maltreatment history on the adolescent mother-infant relationship: mediating and moderating effects during the transition to early parenthood. %A Milan, Stephanie %A Lewis, Jessica %A Ethier, Kathleen %A Kershaw, Trace %A Ickovics, Jeannette R %K Adolescent %K Child %K Child Abuse %K Female %K Humans %K Maternal Age %K Mother-Child Relations %K Object Attachment %K Parenting %K Pregnancy %K Pregnancy in Adolescence %K Questionnaires %K Social Support %N 3 %P 249-61 %R 10.1007/s10995-010-0650-3 %V 32 %X Using attachment theory as a framework, this paper examines how pregnant adolescents' experiences of physical maltreatment during childhood influence the subsequent mother-infant relationship in 203 low-income adolescents followed from the 3rd trimester of pregnancy through the 1st year of parenthood. The relation between physical maltreatment history and early difficulty in the mother-infant relationship was mediated by adolescents' evaluations of the relationship with their primary caretaker and the feelings they associated with motherhood measured prior to childbirth. In addition, a supportive romantic relationship during pregnancy acted as a protective factor by moderating the impact of maltreatment history on the quality of the subsequent mother-infant relationship. Findings support the importance of assessments and interventions that consider the social context and relational history of pregnant and parenting adolescents. %8 2004 Jun