Maternal-fetal attachment in relation to self-concept and anxiety.
This study investigates the association that maternal-fetal attachment has with self-concept, state anxiety, and trait anxiety. One hundred third trimester pregnant women attending prenatal classes were studied. Data were collected by using three psychometric instruments: Maternal-Fetal Attachment Scale, the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The findings do not show a significant relationship between the overall level of maternal-fetal attachment and self-concept. The findings do show significant inverse correlations between state (temporary) anxiety and the overall Maternal-Fetal Attachment Scale. An inverse but non-significant relationship between maternal-fetal attachment and overall scores representing trait (long-term) anxiety was found. The study failed to demonstrate the strong association between anxiety and maternal-fetal attachment described by other theorists. The author speculates that the chosen instrument does not adequately differentiate between the mother's anxieties regarding self and those related to the fetus.
D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus; D006801:Humans; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D009769:Object Attachment; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000523:psychology*; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012107:Research Design; D012649:Self Concept