This thesis investigated whether maltreating mothers show more physiological reactivity during crying in an attachment paradigm than non-maltreating mothers and whether this relationship is...Show moreThis thesis investigated whether maltreating mothers show more physiological reactivity during crying in an attachment paradigm than non-maltreating mothers and whether this relationship is moderated by mothers own experience of child maltreatment. Previous research investigating physiological reactivity during crying yielded inconsistent results and did not show crying in a context. Because the reaction to crying in an attachment relationship is especially important, in this research project crying in an abstract animation movie showing an attachment paradigm was used. In this study data of 30 maltreating and 30 non-maltreating mothers was used. Maltreatment status was investigated with the Maltreatment Classification System and with the Maternal Maltreatment Classification Interview. Heart rate of the mothers was measured during viewing of the attachment paradigm. Own experience of maltreatment of the mothers was investigated with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. A significant decline in heart rate appeared for all mothers the first time they watched the attachment paradigm indicating an attention process. The results indicated no difference between maltreating and non-maltreating mothers in physiological reactivity during crying in the attachment paradigm. Mothers own experience of child maltreatment was not a significant moderator in this association. The attachment paradigm which was previously only used in research with infants has now proven to be usable in research with adults. Replication is needed in a bigger sample. Future research should investigate possible other moderating factors such as attachment representation and should use other measures to measure autonomic nervous system arousal.Show less