A longitudinal study of parental attachment: pre- and postnatal study with couples

Abstract

<b>Objective</b>: To identify factors associated with parental pre- and postnatal attachment to a child. <b>Background</b>: Establishing a relationship with a child is one of the most important parental tasks during pregnancy. Studies examining the determinants of parental attachment have focused mostly on mothers and prenatal period. <b>Methods</b>: Couples awaiting their first child were recruited for a prospective study, with the first stage (3rd trimester of pregnancy) and the second (after delivery). Mothers and fathers completed questionnaires: MAAS/PAAS, MPAS/PPAS by Condon; KPR-Roc M/O by Plopa; EPDS by Cox et al. and the PRAM by Vreeswijk et al. <b>Results</b>: The most important factors for prenatal maternal attachment included depressiveness, an accepting mother's attitude and the partner's relationship; whereas postpartum depressiveness and prenatal maternal attachment were important for postnatal maternal attachment. For men, partner's depressiveness, an inconsistent and over-protecting mother's attitude and a declaration of attendance at birth predicted their relationship with the child during pregnancy, and prenatal paternal attachment for the period after childbirth. <b>Conclusions</b>: The determinants of parental attachment to a child differ for men and women. The most important prenatally are depressiveness, attitudes of their own parents recorded from childhood, while prenatal attachment to a child is most significant postnatally.