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Perinatal Mental Health and Childhood Trauma

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Childhood Trauma in Mental Disorders

Abstract

This chapter examines the results of studies concerning the transmission of maternal childhood trauma to the offspring. The results highlight the direct transmission of trauma through modifications of the maternal hypothalamic–pituitary axis and the intrauterine environment. Furthermore, the studies point out that mothers with a history of maltreatment have a greater risk of transmitting an insecure style of attachment to their offspring, increasing the psychopathological risk. The importance of early treatment for women at risk, therefore, appears evident in order to ensure optimal mental health not only for them but also for their offspring.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK

    Jessica Trinetti, Rebecca Bind & Kristi Sawyer

  2. National Institute for Health and Research Biomedical Research Centre at South London, London, UK

    Carmine M. Pariante

  3. Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College London, London, UK

    Carmine M. Pariante

Authors
  1. Jessica Trinetti
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  2. Rebecca Bind
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  3. Kristi Sawyer
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  4. Carmine M. Pariante
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jessica Trinetti .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Neuropsychiatry, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy

    Gianfranco Spalletta

  2. Department of Psychiatry and Neurology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy

    Delfina Janiri

  3. Laboratory of Neuropsychiatry, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy

    Federica Piras

  4. Department of Neuroscience, Section of Psychiatry, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy

    Gabriele Sani

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Trinetti, J., Bind, R., Sawyer, K., Pariante, C.M. (2020). Perinatal Mental Health and Childhood Trauma. In: Spalletta, G., Janiri, D., Piras, F., Sani, G. (eds) Childhood Trauma in Mental Disorders. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-49414-8_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-49414-8_4

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  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-49414-8

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