Variance of Maternal Fetal Attachment in pregnant women Based on Personality traits

Background: Maternal fetal attachment (MFA) is the first relationship between mother and her child generally begins during pregnancy. Maternal psychological state effects on fetal growth and health. MFA associated with psychological health in pregnancy and beyond, and plays an important role in identifying women who need additional support.Objective: The aim of this study was estimation of variance of MFA according the personality traits in pregnancy.Patients &Methods: using a descriptive correlational study design, we studied on the pregnant women ( primiparous and multiparous) with Gestational age above 24 weeks of pregnancy referring to the obstetric department of Shiraz –Kowsar Hospital during May to June 2015. Sample size was determined to be 200 women using Morgan’s table, after eliminating incomplete questionnaires 171 participants remained in the study which were selected using the Purposive sampling. Data were collected using a Demographic obstetric questionnaire including age and obstetric information, Cranly’s Maretnal Fetal Attachment questionnaire and NEO personality questioner were used during this study. For data analysis Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression were performed, using SPSS version 16.Results: Findings showed a statistically significant correlation between components of NEO personality with maternal-fetal attachment. Extroversion index (P<. /001, R=. -0.51) had the most significant relationship with MFA. Almost 33% of the variance in maternal-fetal attachment was predicted by personality trait.The extraversion (β=0.48, P<0.001) is the highest level of prediction. Neuroticism (β=0.175), openness to experience (β=0.131) and conscientiousness (β=0.237) predicted the maternal-fetal attachment positively. Agreeableness, (β=-0.026) was not predicted the maternal-fetal attachment.In demographic variables, they were not predicted of MFA. There was significant correlation between parity and MFA(R= 0.190, P=0.013).There was no correlation between other demographic variables.Conclusions: Personality traits (except agreeableness) predict MFA during pregnancy. As, mental health of mother and fetus can be improved by identifying mothers based on personality traits, so by promoting behavioral attachment ,health care providers should identify mothers who need additional psychological support during pregnancy.

کلیدواژه ها:

Personality ، Pregnancy ، Attachment ، Fetal ، Maternal.