The mediating role of prenatal depression in adult attachment and maternal-fetal attachment in primigravida in the third trimester

Ling Zhang,Cui Huang,Kai Zhang,Lei Wang,Shu Cui,Qiuyu Yuan,Xiaoqin Zhou

doi:10.1186/s12884-021-03779-5

Ling Zhang, Cui Huang + Show 5 more

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https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-021-03779-5

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Abstract

BackgroundPrenatal depression and adult attachment are factors that affect the establishment of an intimate relationship between a mother and fetus. The study explored differences in prenatal depression and maternal-fetal attachment (MFA) scores between different types of adult attachment and the effects of maternal depression scores and attachment dimensions on maternal intimacy with the fetus.MethodsThe Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Experience of Close Relationship (ECR) scale, Maternal Antenatal Attachment Scale (MAAS) and a general data scale were used to investigate 260 primigravida. An exploratory analysis was performed to analyze the effects of the depression score and adult attachment on MFA.ResultsThe results showed that pregnant women with insecure attachment exhibited an increased prevalence of prenatal depression, lower total MFA scores, and lower MFA quality compared with those women with secure adult attachment. The explorative analysis showed that the depression scores mediated the relationship between adult attachment avoidance and MFA quality.ConclusionsPrimigravida who had insecure adult attachment exhibited an increased prevalence of prenatal depression and lower MFA. Maternal depression and adult attachment may affect the emotional bond between a mother and fetus. This finding should be seriously considered, and timely intervention needs to take personality traits into consideration.

Highlights

Prenatal depression and adult attachment are factors that affect the establishment of an intimate relationship between a mother and fetus
Prenatal depression affects the mood of pregnant women, such as increasing the risk of suicide and the prevalence of postpartum depression [4, 5], and affects the development of the fetus [6, 7], and even increases the risk of mental health issues in the child [8]
This is the first study on the associations between of attachment and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) score on maternal-fetal attachment (MFA) in primigravida to the best of our knowledge

Summary

Introduction

Prenatal depression and adult attachment are factors that affect the establishment of an intimate relationship between a mother and fetus. 20 low-income middle-income countries reported that the prevalence of depression was 25.3% prenatally [3]. Prenatal depression affects the mood of pregnant women, such as increasing the risk of suicide and the prevalence of postpartum depression [4, 5], and affects the development of the fetus [6, 7], and even increases the risk of mental health issues in the child [8]. Prenatal depression can significantly predict the degree of attachment of pregnant women to the fetus [9, 10] and even affect the intimate bond with the child after pregnancy [11].

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