Relationship between prenatal and maternal attachment: a longitudinal study from Turkey

Area of Science:

• Maternal-fetal medicine
• Developmental psychology
• Perinatal mental health

Background:

• Attachment is a crucial interaction between mother and infant, foundational for infant development and relationships.
• Prenatal attachment begins during pregnancy and continues post-birth, influencing maternal care and future child well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between mother-fetus attachment during pregnancy and mother-infant attachment in the postpartum period.
• To determine if prenatal attachment predicts or influences postnatal attachment outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive, correlational, and longitudinal study involving 150 mothers.
• Data collected using a Questionnaire Form, the Prenatal Attachment Inventory (PAI), and the Maternal Attachment Scale (MAS).
• Participants were followed 1-4 months postpartum.

Main Results:

• A weak, positive, and statistically significant relationship was found between prenatal attachment (PAI scores) and postnatal maternal attachment (MAS scores) (r=0.304, p=0.000).
• Prenatal attachment was observed to be related to maternal attachment in the postnatal period.

Conclusions:

• Strong prenatal mother-fetus attachment positively contributes to mother-infant attachment in the postpartum period.
• Interventions to strengthen prenatal attachment can improve postpartum bonding, infant care, and maternal mental health.
• Addressing prenatal attachment issues may reduce risks of neglect, improve breastfeeding, and decrease postpartum depression.