Maternal-fetal attachment in relation to self-concept and anxiety.

The study failed to demonstrate the strong association between anxiety and maternal-fetal attachment described by other theorists, and it is speculated that the chosen instrument does not adequately differentiate between the mother's anxieties regarding self and those related to the fetus.

Abstract

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.