Association between maternal dissatisfaction with oneself at birth and shaking and smothering toward the offspring up to 18 months old

Background A mother who feels dissatisfaction with herself may resort to abusive behavior such as shaking or smothering toward their offspring. Understanding this association can inform effective prevention strategies. Objective This study aimed to investigate the associations between maternal feelings of dissatisfaction with oneself and infant physical abuse. Participants and setting The study included 434 mothers who had recently given birth in two obstetric wards in a relatively wealthy area in Tokyo, Japan. Methods Adopting a longitudinal design, the study used questionnaires post-childbirth to measure mothers' dissatisfaction with themselves. This involved evaluating perceptions of failing to meet personal standards or self-image. Physical abuse (specifically shaking or smothering) in infants was tracked at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months. Data analysis comprised multilevel analysis, group-based trajectory modeling, and multivariable logistic regression to explore the association between maternal dissatisfaction and child physical abuse. Results Multilevel analysis showed that mothers with middle or high dissatisfaction with themselves were more likely to abuse their infant compared to mothers with low dissatisfaction with themselves (adjusted odds ratios [aOR] 5.71, 95 % confidence interval [CI], 1.06–30.78 and aOR 12.47, 95 % CI: 2.11–73.69, respectively). Trajectory analyses indicated that mothers with middle or high dissatisfaction with themselves were consistently more likely to abuse their infants up to 18 months (aOR 8.08, 95 % CI 1.61–40.53 and aOR 6.42, 95 % CI 1.27–32.43, respectively). Conclusions Our findings highlight a robust association between mother's dissatisfaction with themselves and a higher risk of infant physical abuse. These insights call for a comprehensive review of preventive measures for childhood physical abuse.