Anxiety as a Potential Factor Affecting Maternal Attachment |
| |
| Authors: | KAY C. AVANT RN PhD |
| |
| Affiliation: | Kay Avant is an assistant professor of Maternall Parentl Child Nursing at the University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing, Dr. Avant holds a diploma in nursing from the Methodist Hospital of Dallas School of Nursing, a BSN from Texas Christian University, an MSN from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and her PhD from Texas Woman's University. She is a member of NAACOG, ANA, NLN, The National Perinatal Association, and The Hastangs Center. |
| |
| Abstract: | Many factors may influence the initial mother–infant interactions. This exploratory study investigated the impact of one factor, anxiety, on maternal attachment in 30 married primigravidas. Observations of mother-infant interactions and scores from the Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale were used. Results indicated that highly anxious mothers had low attachment scores. Mothers with high attachment scores had low anxiety ratings. In addition, affectionate behaviors were found to decrease as caretaking behaviors increased. |
| |
| Keywords: | |
|
|
