Mothers’ individual characteristics and the maternal-fetal attachment in healthy pregnancies, pregnancies with congenital malformations, and pregnancies with other risks

The aim of the current study was to analyze the predictive value of women’s individual differences such as age, attachment style, self-esteem, and anxiety levels in the context of emotional attachment to the prenatal child in various situations of risk. The study involved women in the second and third trimesters of healthy and high-risk pregnancies – fetal malformation or other complications and obstetric risks. The study used the Maternal-Fetal Attachment Scale (MFAS), the Attachment Styles Questionnaire (Kwestionariusz Stylów Przywiązaniowych, KSP), the Self- Esteem Scale (SES), and the State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) Regression analysis showed that maternal age was significantly related to attachment to the child when diagnosed with a congenital malformation. In situations of pregnancies with other risks, the intensity of the maternal-fetal attachment and its components was significantly related to the mother’s self-esteem and attachment style. However, in healthy pregnancies, the secure style was related to the intensification of select aspects of prenatal attachment. Trait and state anxiety were revealed to not be statistically significant for the maternal-fetal attachment. As women age, they have increasing difficulties accepting the autonomy of a child with a diagnosed congenital defect. Low self-esteem of the mother and insecure attachment styles may be detrimental to MFA in situations where the risks during pregnancy are due, for example, to the mother’s health. The secure attachment style allows for predicting a greater intensity of various aspects of the prenatal attachment when the pregnancy is not at risk.