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CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
Mental health and mother-to-infant bonding: A longitudinal study
1
Kansai University of International Studies, Nursing, Miki, Japan
2
Osaka Shin-Ai Gakuin University, Nursing, Osaka, Japan
Eur J Midwifery 2026;10(Supplement 1):A980
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Child guidance centers in Japan are experiencing annual increases in child abuse consultations. Strengthening mother-to-infant bonding plays a key role in preventing child abuse.
OBJECTIVES:
This study is intended to clarify the relationship between maternal mental health during the perinatal period and attachment to the baby.
METHODS:
Mental health was assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Pregnancy attachment was evaluated using the Prenatal Attachment Inventory (PAI), and postpartum attachment was measured using the Mother-to-Infant Bonding Scale (MIBS). Questionnaires were distributed to 137 pregnant women at over 19 weeks’ gestation between December 2019 and October 2020. Only first-time mothers and singleton pregnancies were included in the study. Surveys were conducted longitudinally at three time points: the second and third trimesters and early postpartum period. Only 59 women responded at all time points. The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Kobe University Graduate School of Health Sciences (approval number: 871).
RESULTS:
No association was found between the EPDS scores during pregnancy and postpartum MIBS scores; however, the postpartum EPDS and MIBS scores were associated (p=0.015). Multiple Regression Analyses showed that the MIBS scores were was significantly related to "trait anxiety in the third trimester" (p=0.046), "attachment to the baby in the third trimester" (p=0.001), "postnatal state anxiety" (p<0.001), "postnatal trait anxiety" (p<0.001), and "postnatal EPDS"（p＝0.010). No significant relationship was found between marital status and satisfaction with childbirth and mental health.
CONCLUSIONS:
To strengthen mothers’ attachment to their babies, caregivers should reduce the anxiety that women experience after giving birth. The authors declare no conflicts of interest directly relevant to the content of this article.
KEY MESSAGE:
Caregivers should reduce the anxiety that women experience after giving birth. Poster session 4 (Group B)
Child guidance centers in Japan are experiencing annual increases in child abuse consultations. Strengthening mother-to-infant bonding plays a key role in preventing child abuse.
OBJECTIVES:
This study is intended to clarify the relationship between maternal mental health during the perinatal period and attachment to the baby.
METHODS:
Mental health was assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Pregnancy attachment was evaluated using the Prenatal Attachment Inventory (PAI), and postpartum attachment was measured using the Mother-to-Infant Bonding Scale (MIBS). Questionnaires were distributed to 137 pregnant women at over 19 weeks’ gestation between December 2019 and October 2020. Only first-time mothers and singleton pregnancies were included in the study. Surveys were conducted longitudinally at three time points: the second and third trimesters and early postpartum period. Only 59 women responded at all time points. The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Kobe University Graduate School of Health Sciences (approval number: 871).
RESULTS:
No association was found between the EPDS scores during pregnancy and postpartum MIBS scores; however, the postpartum EPDS and MIBS scores were associated (p=0.015). Multiple Regression Analyses showed that the MIBS scores were was significantly related to "trait anxiety in the third trimester" (p=0.046), "attachment to the baby in the third trimester" (p=0.001), "postnatal state anxiety" (p<0.001), "postnatal trait anxiety" (p<0.001), and "postnatal EPDS"（p＝0.010). No significant relationship was found between marital status and satisfaction with childbirth and mental health.
CONCLUSIONS:
To strengthen mothers’ attachment to their babies, caregivers should reduce the anxiety that women experience after giving birth. The authors declare no conflicts of interest directly relevant to the content of this article.
KEY MESSAGE:
Caregivers should reduce the anxiety that women experience after giving birth. Poster session 4 (Group B)
| eISSN: | 2585-2906 |
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