Maternal–fetal attachment in pregnant Italian women: multidimensional influences and the association with maternal caregiving in the infant’s first year of life

Abstract

Background Maternal–Fetal Attachment (MFA) describes the cognitive-representational, emotional, and behavioral aspects of the mother–fetus relationship that develops during pregnancy. We present two studies conducted on pregnant Italian women. In Study I, we aimed to explore multifaceted associations of MFA with variables important for a healthy pregnancy (e.g., maternal mental health, the couple’s relationship). In Study II, we investigated the predictive role of MFA on observed maternal caregiving during the first months of the infant’s life. Methods In Study I, 113 pregnant Italian women were assessed on MFA (Maternal Antenatal Attachment Scale, MAAS), maternal depression (Beck Depression Inventory-II, BDI-II), maternal anxiety (State Trait Anxiety Inventory – State version, STAI), adjustment of the couple (Dyadic Adjustment Scale, DAS), and perceived parental care (The Parental Bonding Instrument, PBI). In Study II, 29 mother–infant pairs were followed up at 4 months to assess observational variables of maternal caregiving through the Emotional Availability Scale (EAS) and to test for an association with MFA in pregnancy. Results Study I showed a significant association between MFA and the quality of the couple relationship (β = .49, P < .001) and between MFA and the recall of memories of care received in childhood (β = .22, P = .025). Study II showed a predictive effect of MFA on maternal structuring observed during mother–infant interactions at 4 months of age (β = 0.36, P = .046). Conclusion The study points out relevant relationship contexts that might receive care and support throughout pregnancy to protect MFA. The findings also provide thoughtful insights on the role of MFA in early maternal caregiving, suggesting that MFA might be a candidate as one putative antecedent of mother–infant interaction processes.

A Longitudinal Study of Maternal Postnatal Bonding and Psychosocial Factors that Contribute to Social-Emotional Development

“…So far, the link between perinatal mother-baby bonding and a child's social-emotional development has been underinvestigated. There is also a consensus on the need for further research on the development of prenatal bonding after childbirth and the association between perinatal bonding and a child's developmental outcomes [4][5][6]12].…”

“…If the adult on whom the child is dependent is unable, for some reason [e.g., due to depression or stress during pregnancy [51,52], or lack of support [17,47]], to be psychologically available, responsive and sensitive to the extent the child expects, the child may develop an insecure attachment style [11], which they then implement in different relationships with other significant adults and peers [11]. Since bonding may be part of the broader attachment construct [1,6], the continuation and cumulative influence of prenatal weak bonding [54] on the postnatal phase and its significance for the child's socialemotional problems becomes understandable.…”

“…The mother-baby bond is important for the physical, psychological, and social development of the baby, as some previous studies have reported (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6). As pre-and postnatal bonding are related to each other [7][8][9], they have both been connected to child development.…”

“…However, previous studies have only analyzed a small number of cases or have been cross-sectional. In longitudinal studies, follow-up periods are often relatively short [4][5][6]12]. These factors consequently limit research designs in testing hypotheses.…”

Psychosocial Aspects of Gestational Grief in Women Undergoing Infertility Treatment: A Systematic Review of Qualitative and Quantitative Evidence

“…Cognitive and emotional impacts, including sadness after infertility treatment, are linked to maternal–fetal attachment, that is, the emotional bond that an expectant mother develops with her unborn baby, as described by Sacchi et al [ 47 ]. This maternal–fetus relationship established in the prenatal period is associated with its psychological function, which reinforces the importance of psychological follow-up before, during, and after failures in infertility treatment.…”