The relationship between prenatal attachment and depression levels in pregnancy

This study aimed to examine the relationship between prenatal attachment and depression among pregnant women living in İstanbul. For this research, 62 women who were provided medical services in Gokturk Family Health Center were recruited with their informed consent. Demographic variables including personal information, information related to pregnancy, couple relationship, investment fort he expected baby, psychiatric condition, prenatal attachment, and depression were analyzed through data obtained with self-report measures including "Demographic Information Form", "Prenatal Attachment Inventory", and "Beck Depression Inventory". Based on the results of the study, negative and significant correlation was found between prenatal attachment and depression among pregnant women. Regression analysis also showed that women's depression scores significanly predicted prenatal attachment scores. Women with moderate and high levels of depression reported significantly lower prenatal attachment scores whereas, women with minimal and low levels of depression reported significantly higher scores in prenatal attachment. Additionally, planned and desired pregnancy were found as significant variables in terms women's prenatal attachment scores. Planned and desired pregnancies demostrated significantly higher scores in prenatal attachment. Fears about labor were also found as significant in terms of prenatal attachment scores of women. Women reported that they were not fearful about labor also had significantly higher scores in prenatal attachment. Finding of this study is prominent in terms of contributing further studies as well as mental health programs for pregnant women during their medical examinations if needed.