Association of prenatal attachment and early childhood emotional, behavioral, and developmental characteristics: A longitudinal study

Abstract

This study examines the associations between prenatal attachment and child development, socioemotional behavioral problems, and competence at early childhood. It also inquires whether maternal depression and anxiety at the prenatal period and at early childhood are associated with child outcomes. The study consisted of 83 mothers and their children. Data regarding the prenatal attachment, depression, and anxiety were collected during Weeks 28 to 40 of gestation. When the children were 21 to 31 months old, the Brief Infant and Toddler Social Emotional Assessment (BITSEA) and the Ankara Developmental Screening Inventory (ADSI) were applied to children along with Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) administered to mothers. Results showed that prenatal attachment scores significantly correlated with BITSEA‐Competency subscale scores and ADSI total scores at early childhood, r(83) = 0.246, P = .025, and r(82) = 0.316, P = .004, respectively. Prenatal attachment levels were found to be the predictors of both behavioral and emotional competence and development at early childhood, b = 0.081, t(83) = 2.273, P = .014, and b = 0.281, t(83) = 3.225, P = .002, respectively. In addition, prenatal attachment was shown to be even a stronger predictor of development than was worsening maternal depression at early childhood, b = −0.319, t(83) = 2.140, P = .035. Our results indicate that fostering prenatal attachment may be beneficial for better infant outcomes at early childhood.

Infant Developmental Outcomes: Influence of Prenatal Maternal–Fetal Attachment, Adult Attachment, Maternal Well-Being, and Perinatal Loss

“…While the association between maternal–fetal attachment and infant adaptive behavior has not previously been studied, this finding corroborates other research whereby poorer maternal–fetal attachment was associated with maternal-rated infant outcomes such as global developmental delay [ 13 ], less optimal infant temperament [ 10 ], colic [ 11 ], and decreased sleep [ 12 ]. In contrast with a study by Arguz Cildir, Ozbek, Topuzoglu, Orcin and Janbakhishov [ 14 ], in which maternal–fetal attachment was associated with infant/child behavioral and emotional competence, our study revealed no significant association between attachment and the social-emotional scale. While both studies used maternal-report, infants in the present study were slightly younger, and different infant developmental assessments were used; however, further research is required.…”

“…As indicated in a systemic review by Branjerdporn et al [ 9 ], maternal–fetal attachment has been shown to influence a range of maternal-reported infant outcomes, such as temperament [ 10 ], colic [ 11 , 12 ], and developmental delay [ 13 ]. More recently, a Turkish study by Arguz Cildir et al [ 14 ] revealed that maternal–fetal attachment was associated with maternal-reported infant behavioral and emotional competence, and development when infants were 21–31 months old. Similarly, a recent Palestinian study [ 15 ] with 12-month old infants showed that maternal–fetal attachment in mothers with significant war trauma predicted maternal-reported infant sensorimotor and fine motor skill development using the Minnesota Child Development Inventory [ 16 ].…”

Prenatal Attachment and Perinatal Depression: A Systematic Review

“…Interventions aimed at reducing depressive symptoms that can occur during the gestational period and that can impact the psychological wellbeing of expectant parents and the development of a positive prenatal attachment should be implemented [155][156][157][158][159][160]. To enhance this bond takes on a main role, considering its further influence on postnatal depression (as most of the studies included in the current systematic review reported) [74,81,99,105,110,111], and on other important factors involved in the wellbeing of the both parents and the child [28,29,[32][33][34][35]37,38,41,42].…”

“…Many authors underline that low maternal prenatal attachment is associated with low prenatal maternal fetus representations and self-care [25][26][27][28][29] and low postnatal attachment until 24 months postpartum [30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39]. Additionally, poor parental prenatal attachment has been connected to behavioral and conduct problems, lower cognitive development, and negative socioemotional regulations in early childhood [40][41][42].…”

Pre-natal Attachment and Parent-To-Infant Attachment: A Systematic Review

“…The literature investigating pre-natal attachment was more focused on its predictors rather than its consequences (Damato, 2004;Cannella, 2005;Hjelmstedt et al, 2007;Bielawska-Batorowicz and Siddiqui, 2008;Yarcheski et al, 2009;Ossa et al, 2012;Della Vedova and Cristini, 2019;Tichelman et al, 2019). Nonetheless, several studies highlighted the predictive role of pre-natal attachment on the child's socioemotional, behavioral and cognitive development in early childhood and the parent's mental health during the perinatal period (Misri and Kendrick, 2008;Yarcheski et al, 2009;Alhusen et al, 2013;Della Vedova, 2014;Walsh et al, 2014;Branjerdporn et al, 2017;Cildir et al, 2019;Rollè et al, 2020).…”