Effects of Obstetric Violence on Maternal Attachment and Postpartum Depression in Mothers

This descriptive and correlational study investigated the relationship between exposure to obstetric violence and mother-infant attachment and postpartum depression (PPD) among women who had vaginal births. The sample comprised 292 mothers with infants aged 3 to 12 months who attended the outpatient clinics of a hospital in Konya between March and August 2024. Data were collected using a personal information form, an obstetric violence assessment form, the Maternal Attachment Scale, and the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale. Independent samples t-tests and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted. The mean age of the participants was 29.50 ± 6.02 years. Emotional obstetric violence was reported by 32.9% of mothers, followed by verbal violence (19.5%), physical violence (7.9%), and sexual violence (6.2%). Mothers who reported exposure to any form of obstetric violence had significantly lower maternal attachment scores and significantly higher PPD scores (p < .001). Regression analyses indicated that verbal and sexual obstetric violence were significant predictors of both maternal attachment and PPD. Greater exposure to verbal and sexual violence was associated with weaker maternal attachment and higher levels of postpartum depressive symptoms. These findings highlight the detrimental impact of obstetric violence on maternal psychological well-being and early mother-infant attachment. Policies and clinical practices aimed at preventing obstetric violence and promoting respectful maternity care are essential to safeguard the health and well-being of both mothers and their infants.