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Maternal-fetal attachment in relation to self-concept and anxiety
Abstract:
This study investigates the association that maternal-fetal attachment has with self-concept, state anxiety, and trait anxiety. One hundred third trimester pregnant women attending prenatal classes were studied. Data were collected by using three psychometric instruments: Maternal-Fetal Attachment Scale, the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The findings do not show a significant relationship between the overall level of maternal-fetal attachment and self-concept. The findings do show significant inverse correlations between state (temporary) anxiety and the overall Maternal-Fetal Attachment Scale. An inverse but non-significant relationship between maternal-fetal attachment and overall scores representing trait (long-term) anxiety was found. The study failed to demonstrate the strong association between anxiety and maternal-fetal attachment described by other theorists. The author speculates that the chosen instrument does not adequately differentiate between the mother's anxieties regarding self and those related to the fetus.
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