Does the visibility of a congenital anomaly affect maternal-infant attachment levels?

J Spec Pediatr Nurs. 2016 Oct;21(4):200-211. doi: 10.1111/jspn.12157.

Abstract

Purpose: To determine whether congenital anomaly visibility affects maternal-infant attachment levels.

Design and methods: The study population consisted of mothers who had infants with cleft lip/palate or congenital heart anomalies who were receiving treatment in a university hospital. The data were collected using the Structured Questionnaire Form and the Maternal Attachment Inventory.

Results: Statistically significant differences in maternal-infant attachment levels were observed between infants with cleft lips/palates and healthy infants and between infants with congenital heart anomalies and healthy infants.

Practice implications: It is important to apply appropriate nursing interventions for these mothers during the postpartum period.

Keywords: Cleft lip; cleft palate; congenital anomaly; congenital heart disease; maternal attachment; nursing.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cleft Palate / psychology*
  • Congenital Abnormalities / psychology*
  • Female
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mother-Child Relations / psychology*
  • Mothers / psychology*
  • Object Attachment