Adult attachment and birth experience: importance of a secure base and safe haven during childbirth

Samantha Reisz,Jessica Brennan,Deborah Jacobvitz,Carol George

doi:10.1080/02646838.2018.1509303

Abstract

ABSTRACTObjective: Examine connections between mothers’ adult attachment and subjective birth experience in the context of parity and mode of delivery.Background: Research has established a clear connection between adult attachment and birth experience. This study extended previous research with an in-depth self-report attachment measure examining different dimensions of mothers’ attachment representations and their relation to subjective birth experience. Interactions between mode of delivery and parity were also considered. Method: Participants were 257 mothers who gave birth 4 days to 12 months prior to the study. Mothers’ mean age was 30.5 years, 61% primiparas, and 26% delivered by caesarean. Participants completed an online survey with the Birth Experience Questionnaire, the Reciprocal Attachment Questionnaire, and demographic information.Results: Hierarchical moderated regression analyses showed direct effects from adult attachment dimensions to mothers’ subjective birth experiences, specifically perceived availability, feared loss, separation protest, angry withdrawal, and compulsive careseeking. Interactions emerged for parity and/or mode of delivery for overall subjective birth experience, perceived control, perceived social support, and satisfaction.Conclusion: Adult attachment representations related to subjective birth experience, indicating that attachment figures serve as secure bases and safe havens for mothers during childbirth. These results have implications for practitioners and provide direction for future research.

Highlights

Childbirth is a profound experience for women that can influence their relationship with their new babies (Durik, Hyde, & Clark, 2000), confidence in themselves as mothers (Reisz, Jacobvitz, & George, 2015), and their mental health (Olde, van der Hart, Kleber, & van Son, 2006)
Interactions emerged for parity and/or mode of delivery for overall subjective birth experience, perceived control, perceived social support, and satisfaction with the overall birth
Adult attachment representations are related to mothers’ subjective birth experience. This finding indicates that attachment figures can serve as secure bases and safe 3 havens for mothers during childbirth

Summary

Introduction

Childbirth is a profound experience for women that can influence their relationship with their new babies (Durik, Hyde, & Clark, 2000), confidence in themselves as mothers (Reisz, Jacobvitz, & George, 2015), and their mental health (Olde, van der Hart, Kleber, & van Son, 2006). Based on repeated experiences with attachment figures, individuals develop and carry forward expectations about the self and others in regard to whether others can be counted on to provide support when they are distressed (Bowlby, 1969). Childbirth is reported by most women as distressing, in part due to the intensity of the pain (Wolf, 2009) This distress may activate mothers’ attachment needs, motivating them to seek and comforting from a significant others. The few studies to date on adult attachment representation and birth experience point to a clear connection between these factors. Mode of delivery and parity both relate to birth experience, so interactions between these factors and adult attachment were considered

Results

Discussion

Conclusion