Moderating Effect of Perceived Social Support on Relationship Between Negative Emotion and Maternal-Fetal Attachment

Abstract

Objective To explore the effect of anxiety, depression, perceived social support on maternal-fetal attachment (MFA) in women during late pregnancy. Method A sample of 207 cases of women during late pregnancy was assessed with Maternal Antenatal Attachment Scale, Perceived Social Support Scale and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Results Anxiety and depression scores were negatively correlated with MFA scores (r=-0.401,-0.416, P<0.01); perceived social support scores were negatively correlated with anxiety and depression (r=-0.233,-0.362, P<0.01), but positively correlated with MFA scores (r=0.200, P<0.01). The interactive effects of anxiety×perceived social support and depression × perceived social support on MFA were significant(β=0.196、0.204, P<0.01). Conclusion Perceived social support played a moderating role between negative emotion and MFA. Key words: Maternal-fetal attachment; Anxiety; Depression; Perceived social support