Violence in Pregnancy and Maternal Fetus Attachment

Background: attachment between mother and fetus plays an important role in maternal identity, birth outcomes, growth and development of newborn. In addition, domestic violence especially in pregnancy has regarded as a health priority in many societies. The aim of this study is assessing the relashionship between domestic violence in pregnancy and maternal fetus attachment.Method: this descriptive correlational study was conducted in 200 pregnant mothers visiting the selected Healthcare Centers of Mashhad. The questionnaires were demographic information, Straus Violence Questionnaire and Cranley’s Mother-Fetus Attachment Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive and correlation coefficient and liner regression tests as well as SPSS v.21 software.Result: 54% of members had experienced domestic violence. In general, there was a reversed and significant correlation between all aspect of domestic violence and mother-fetus attachment. 89%of Research Centers reported fetal attachment as good, 10%as average and 1%as weak. Based on the linear regression test, physical violence was able to predict the variance of maternal attachment attachment score of 4.14% in mothers.Conclusion: As a result of this article, regarding to lower maternal- fetal attachment in violated women in pregnancy, much more sensitive screening should be considered for domestic violence until adverse outcome could be prohibited.

Violence in Pregnancy and Maternal Fetus Attachment Keywords:

domestic violence , violence in pregnancy , maternal fetus attachment