Factors Influencing Maternal-Fetal Attachment among Unmarried Pregnant Women

Abstract

Abstract. This study was conducted to identify the factors affecting maternalfetal attachment behaviors among unmarried pregnant women. The research subjects were 105 unmarried pregnant women who visited 15 shelters for unmarried mothers around the country. The data were collected from January to February 2015 through questionnaire survey, and were analyzed with descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVAs, Pearson correlations, and hierarchical regression analysis using SPSS 20. The results confirmed that current childcare plans and support from friends were factors affecting subjects' maternal-fetal attachment behaviors. The overall explanatory power of these variables for maternal-fetal attachment behaviors was 30.5%, with friend support being more influential than current childcare plans. This study suggests that prenatal care aimed at enhancing the maternal-fetal attachment of unmarried pregnant women should take childcare plans and support from friends into account.