Relationship Between Domestic Violence in Pregnancy and Maternal Fetus Attachment

Abstract

Background: Attachment between mother and fetus plays an important role in maternal identity, birth outcomes, growth, and development of a newborn. In addition, domestic violence, especially in pregnancy, has been regarded as a health priority in many societies. Objectives: The study aimed to assess the relationship between domestic violence in pregnancy and maternal fetus attachment. Methods: This descriptive correlational study was conducted on 200 pregnant mothers visiting the selected Healthcare Centers of Mashhad. The questionnaires were demographic information, Straus Violence Questionnaire and Cranley’s Mother-Fetus Attachment Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive and correlation coefficient and linear regression tests as well as SPSS v.21 software. Results: Here, 54% of members had experienced domestic violence. In general, there was a reversed and significant correlation between all aspects of domestic violence and mother-fetus attachment. Moreover, 89% of research centers reported fetal attachment as good, 10% as average, and 1% as weak. Based on the linear regression test, physical violence was able to predict the variance of maternal attachment score of 4.14% in mothers. Conclusions: As a result of this article, regarding lower maternal-fetal attachment in violated women in pregnancy, much more sensitive screening should be considered for domestic violence so that adverse outcomes are prohibited.

Comparison of Prenatal Attachment Levels in Smoking and Non-Smoking Pregnant Women

“…Or, by strengthening the mother-infant bond, the effectiveness of interventions targeting both no smoking during pregnancy and cessation of smoking during pregnancy can be increased. Especially in recent years, although there are studies in the literature investigating the relationship between mother-infant attachment and many factors (such as social support status, body image, compatibility with a partner, psychosocial health, unplanned pregnancy, exposure to violence, maternal obesity, fatigue, coping), stress, anxiety level) (1,4,(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31), and very few studies have been conducted to determine the effect of smoking during pregnancy on mother-infant attachment (8,9). In this direction, our study aimed to compare the prenatal attachment levels of smokers and non-smokers.…”