Maternal-fetal attachment, anxiety, and depression in normal and high-risk pregnancies: A comparative study

• Autor(a) principal: SAVIANI-ZEOTI, Fernanda
• Data de Publicação: 2023
• Outros Autores: PETEAN, Eucia Beatriz Lopes
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Estudos de Psicologia (Campinas)
• Texto Completo: https://periodicos.puc-campinas.edu.br/estpsi/article/view/8310
• topic: Anxiety; Depression; Pregnancy; Maternal-fetal relations; Ansiedade; Depressão; Gestação; Relações materno-fetais

This study aimed to determine possible differences in the maternal-fetal attachment behavior and in the levels of anxiety and depression during the second trimester of pregnancy in women with or without pregnancy complications. Twenty-five women with normal, healthy pregnancy and 23 with high-risk pregnancy, among which there were 4 with malformed fetuses, participated in this study. The Maternal-Fetal Attachment Scale and the Beck Anxiety Inventory and Depression Inventory were used. The results showed no differences in the levels of maternal-fetal attachment between the two groups of pregnant women investigated; both had maximum values. The anxiety and depression levels were higher, but not statistically significant, between the women with high-risk pregnancies, especially in those with suspected fetal malformation. It was concluded that the harsh reality faced by these mothers leads to higher levels of anxiety and depression; however, it does not prevent the development of attachment between them and their babies.