Abstract:

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the relationship between the distress levels of pregnant women and prenatal attachment. Method: It was a cross-sectional study that was conducted on pregnant women applying to Maternity Hospital Non-Stress Test unit in Anatolia between May and September 2014. A total of 310 pregnant women who met the inclusion criteria participated in the study. Data were collected using the Tilburg Pregnancy Distress Scale (TPDS) and Prenatal Attachment Inventory (PAI) questionnaires. The data were presented with numbers, mean, and percentages. Moreover, Pearson’s correlation analysis, independent samples t-test, and one-way analysis of variance were performed to analyze the data. Statistical significance level was accepted as p<0.05. Results: While the TPDS mean score was 17.48±6.98, the mean PAI score was 53.63±12.75. It was observed that 8.1% of pregnant women were diagnosed with distress (TPDS score ≥28). The prenatal attachment score was determined as 45.40±13.54 in pregnant women diagnosed with distress and 54.35±12.45 in women diagnosed without distress (p=0.001). A significant correlation was found between the prenatal attachment and the distress mean scores (r= -0.245, p=0.001). Conclusion and Suggestions: A negative and weak relationship was found between the distress levels of pregnant women and their prenatal attachment mean score. As the distress scores increased in pregnant women, the prenatal attachment mean scores decreased. So, it is important to determine the level of mother-infant attachment. In this context, it may be suggestable to carry out studies involving more centers and other variables that can be affected.

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