Maternal and paternal attachment levels in the prenatal period

Abstract

Aims: This study determined maternal and paternal attachment levels and the factors affecting attachment during the prenatal period. Methods: This descriptive study included pregnant women aged 18 to 48 years and their spouses admitted to a follow-up clinic. Women with risky pregnancies were excluded. Attachment was assessed using the maternal antenatal attachment scale (MAAS) and the paternal antenatal attachment scale (PAAS). The primary outcomes were the maternal and paternal attachment levels and the factors affecting attachment during the prenatal period. Results: The study population consisted of 100 pregnant women and their spouses, totaling 200 individuals [age, mean±standard deviation: 27.8±5.1 years, prospective mothers; 31.5±5.9 years, prospective fathers]. The mean MAAS score was 77.87±8.08, and the mean PAAS score was 63.7±8.2. There was a statistically significant correlation between the total MAAS and PAAS scores (r=0.279, p=0.005). Also, mean scores of the subdimensions of quality of attachment (r=0.203, p=0.042) and time spent on attachment (r=0.236, p=0.018) of the MAAS and PAAS showed correlations. We observed that 48% of the pregnant women saw their babies with their spouses on ultrasound. Median MAAS score [81 (56 to 93) vs. 77 (45 to 93), p=0.002] and PAAS score [66.5 (54 to 77) vs. 61 (41 to 79), p=0.015] of the expectant mothers and fathers who saw their babies together on the ultrasound were higher than couples who did not see their babies on the ultrasound together. Conclusions: This study showed a significant relationship between maternal and paternal attachment levels of couples in the prenatal period.