Evaluating Maternal Attachment Patterns and Newborns’ Oxygen Saturation Levels: Health Behavior Implications

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the impact of maternal attachment styles on the oxygen saturation level of infants in relation to the health behavior. Methods: The data for the current study was collected from mothers who were being treated in Newborn Intensive Care by dividing their newborns into two groups in accordance with their changed oxygen levels to determine an effective health behavior for treating them and achieving the required health outcomes. In this regard, the health behavior of the mothers, focusing on their psychological and physical well-being, was also taken into consideration. Psychometric measures were evaluated by instruments like State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, Experiences in Close Relationships, and Relationship Scales Questionnaire. Results: Sixty-nine newborns and their mothers were included in the study. It was discovered that mothers of infants whose oxygen levels increased after contact had significantly higher rates of secure attachment, due to effective health behavior practices, than those with fearful and dismissing attachment styles. Infants′ oxygen saturation level whose mothers had higher rates on the HAM-A somatic subscale did not change or worsened significantly after physical contact (46.7%, 23.5%, p = 0.050, respectively). Conclusions: It was found that the change in an infant's oxygen saturation level after physical contact may be associated with the maternal attachment patterns which are highly influenced by mothers′ health behavior.