Factors Associated with Maternal-infant Attachment One Month Postnatally

Abstract

Background: maternal-infant attachment (MIA) or bonding is a vital process which has tremendous implications for both mother and infant and is affected by many factors. Identifying such factors enable healthcare staff to detect those mothers with bonding difficulties and in need of individualized attention during their postpartum period.Objectives: To identify factors associated with MIA one month after child birth.Methods: We executed a cross-sectional descriptive study that included a convenience sample of 150 postnatal women attending El Shatby Maternity University hospital in Alexandria, free of any medical condition and willing to participate in the study. A structured validated interview questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic characteristics, reproductive history and the MIA Scale. Results: A month after delivery, 48(32%), 31(20.7%) and 71(47.3%)of mothers respectively had negative, unclear and positive MIA. Positive MIA was significantly more among educated(50.8%), employed(52.7%), socially supported(61.1%),primigravidous(60.7%) and primiparous(58%) mothers having urban residency(53%), full-term(54.2%) breast fed(61.3%) boy (63.5%), planned pregnancy(58.4%)andno history of abortion(52.7%) (p<0.05). Conclusion: Bonding is significantly associated with maternal and infant factors. Maternal factors include women education, occupation, residence, social support, gravidity, parity, abortion and pregnancy planning status, whereas infant related factors included infant gender, feeding pattern, maturity and type of care received. Key words: Mother-infant attachment, bonding, postnatal period.