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.

Keywords:

domestic violence , violence in pregnancy , maternal fetus attachment