Comparison of maternal-and paternal-fetal attachment in Turkish couples

Abstract

Objective: to compare maternal-fetal attachment (MFA) and paternal-fetal attachment (PFA) in terms of selected variables.

Design: cross-sectional study.

Setting: three training hospitals in Ankara, Turkey. The study was performed between December 2005 and March 2006.

Participants: a total of 144 pregnant women and 144 partners participated in the study; the response rate was 98%.

Findings: there was a statistically significant difference between MFA and PFA scores (p<0.001). A comparison of MFA and PFA scores according to the selected variables (education, employment status, planning of pregnancy, pregnancy risk status) revealed that the MFA scores for pregnant women were significantly higher than the PFA scores of their partners, except for unemployed partners. The MFA (rho=-0.24, p<0.004) and PFA (rho=-0.32, p<0.001) scores decreased with increasing age of both pregnant women and their partners.

Key conclusions and implications for practice: although partners have lower fetal attachment scores than pregnant women, it is important to recognise factors influencing the attachment of the mother and father towards their fetus. Prenatal midwives and nurses are in a unique position to assess attachment and to intervene to promote attachment behaviours.