Prenatal Attachment, Pregnancy-Related Maternal Perception and Body Image in High-Risk Pregnancies: The Relationship between Clinical Anxiety and Depression

This study aims to examine the relationship between clinical anxiety and depression and prenatal attachment, pregnancy-related maternal identity, and body image in high-risk pregnancies.

This research uses a descriptive correlational design. It was conducted between October 2024 and May 2025 in the high-risk pregnancy unit of a hospital in Central Anatolia and included 311 high-risk pregnant women.

This study found that the level of prenatal attachment was significantly negatively correlated with the number of pregnancies, gestational week, and anxiety and depression scores (p<0.05). Maternal perception was found to be negatively correlated with anxiety and depression (p<0.05). Conversely, body image showed a positive association with age, the duration of marriage, the number of children, anxiety, and depression, suggesting that these factors are associated with more negative body image (p<0.05). Furthermore, an extended family structure, receiving care at a private clinic, frequent doctor visits, hospitalization due to bleeding, lower gestational age, and elevated levels of depression were identified as significant risk factors for prenatal attachment (p<0.05). Negative body image was also associated with factors such as higher education, being employed, perceiving a low income, experiencing unplanned pregnancies or miscarriage, irregular prenatal follow-up, choosing private clinics, having preeclampsia or eclampsia, older maternal age, longer marriage duration, and elevated anxiety levels (p<0.05).

In conclusion, this study revealed that higher levels of anxiety and depression are associated with lower prenatal attachment and maternal perception, while body image is adversely affected by both psychological and demographic factors. These findings underscore the need for early psychosocial support and a holistic approach to pregnancy care.