Factors Predicting Maternal-Fetal Attachment in Pregnant Adolescents

Abstract

Purpose: The study aimed to study maternal-fetal attachment and to examine factors predicting maternal-fetal attachment in pregnant adolescents.

Design: Predictive correlational research.

Methods: Samples were 170 pregnant adolescents attending antenatal clinics at Chonburi hospital and Banglamung hospital. Research instruments consisted of a demographic questionnaire, the prenatal attachment scale for Thai pregnant adolescents, the marital relationship questionnaire, the experience of intimate partner violence questionnaire, and the social questionnaire. The reliabilities of questionnaires were .94, .87, .93 and .82, respectively. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and enter multiple regression analysis.

Results: Results showed that the mean score of maternal-fetal attachment in pregnant adolescents were at a good level. Factors that could predict maternal-fetal attachment in pregnant adolescents with statistical significance, namely the marital relationship (β = .163), planning of pregnancy (β = .191), experience of intimate partner violence (β = .310), gestational age (β = .204) and social support (β = .321). All factors could explain 37.9% of the variance of maternal-fetal attachment in pregnant adolescents. (F_{(5, 164)} = 20.046, p < .001)

Conclusion: Nurses should be used as a guideline to develop the nursing model. By evaluating the factors and encourage families to participate in the care. To promoting maternal-fetal attachment in pregnant adolescents for better.