THE DEVELOPMENT OF MATERNAL-FETAL ATTACHMENT AND THE ASSOCIATION OF SELECTED VARIABLES (PREGNANCY, PRENATAL).
Contributors: Catholic University of America.
Published: 1986
Number of pages: 190
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Sociology, Individual and Family Studies.
Description: This study investigated the development of maternal-fetal attachment during pregnancy and the association of selected variables with the development of maternal-fetal attachment. Three hypotheses were tested: (a) development of maternal-fetal attachment, as measured by the MFAV (Maternal-Fetal Attachment Scale - Vito Version) subscales, begins in pregnancy with fantasy of the role and giving of self, followed by differentiation of self from the fetus, interaction with the fetus and attribution of characteristics and intentions to the fetus at the midpoint of pregnancy and subsequently by nesting and preparation in the home for the baby in the latter part of pregnancy, (b) the variables of ultrasound examination, planned pregnancy and older maternal age will have a more positive association with scores on the MFAV subscales than will higher maternal educational level and greater parity, and (c) quickening will be positively associated with the scores on the MFAV subscales of Interaction with the Fetus, Differentiation of Self from the Fetus and Attribution of Characteristics and Intentions to the Fetus.

A sample of 325 pregnant women of all gestational ages was given a demographic questionnaire and the MFAV to complete while at their obstetricians' office for routine prenatal care. Validity and reliability testing of the MFAV subscales for use throughout pregnancy was done.

Hypothesis 1 was tested through simple linear regression and was supported by the data. Hypothesis 2 was tested through canonical correlation and multiple regression analysis and was partially supported by the data. A multicolinear situation with maternal age and maternal educational level existed which made interpretation of the findings in Hypothesis 2 inconclusive. Hypothesis 3 was tested through analysis of variance and was supported by the data.

It was concluded that maternal-fetal attachment is a developmental process with three phases: (1) binding in to the pregnancy from 0 to 18 weeks gestation, (2) binding in to the fetus from 18 to 28 weeks gestation, and (3) binding in to the child from 28 to 40 weeks gestation. Planned pregnancy, ultrasound examination, parity, maternal age, maternal educational level and quickening are associated with normal variations in development.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 47-03, Section: B, page: 0998.

Thesis (D.N.SC.)--THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA, 1986.

School code: 0043.