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Kwon and Bang: Relationship of Prenatal Stress and Depression to Maternal-Fetal Attachment and Fetal Growth
Original Article
Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing

Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing 2011; 41(2): 276-283.

Published online: 30 April 2011

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2011.41.2.276

Relationship of Prenatal Stress and Depression to Maternal-Fetal Attachment and Fetal Growth

Mi-Kyung Kwon1, Kyung-Sook Bang2

1Professor, Department of Nursing, Kwandong University, Gangneung, Korea.

2Associate Professor, College of Nursing · The Research Institute of Nursing Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.

Address reprint requests to: Bang, Kyung-Sook. College of Nursing, Seoul National University, 28 Yeongeon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-799, Korea. Tel: +82-2-740-8819, Fax: +82-2-765-4103, ksbang@snu.ac.kr

Received 26 November 2010       Accepted 15 April 2011

© 2011 Korean Society of Nursing Science

Abstract

Purpose

Prenatal depression is associated with potential negative consequences for the mother and infant. The purpose of this study was to examine pregnant women's stress, and depression and their impact on maternal-fetal attachment and fetal growth.

Methods

Data were collected by means of a questionnaire and fetal sonogram from a convenience sample of 166 pregnant women.

Results

Women who have a low educational level, poor health and are dissatisfied with their marriage showed low maternal-fetal attachment. Prenatal depression had significant correlations with length of pregnancy and level of stress. Even though correlation between maternal stress and fetal weight (r=-.15, p=.099) and correlation between maternal depression and maternal-fetal attachment (r=-.13, p=.095) were not statistically significant, the impact of the prenatal psychological state of mothers can not be ignored as it relates to fetal health.

Conclusion

Maternal-fetal attachment and fetal growth can be affected by maternal emotional state, including stress or depression. These findings suggest that primary care nurses in hospitals and public health centers should provide prenatal depression screening and nursing intervention programs for management and prevention of prenatal stress and depression.

Keywords: Pregnant women, Psychological stress, Depression, Fetal weight

Figures and Tables

Table 1
General Characteristics (N=166)
jkan-41-276-i001
Table 2
Maternal Stress, Depression, Maternal-Fetal Attachment and Fetal Weight (N=166)
jkan-41-276-i002
Table 3
Maternal-Fetal Attachment and Fetal Weight according to General Characteristics (N=166)
jkan-41-276-i003

*ten thousand won.

Table 4
Correlations of Maternal Stress, Depression, Attachment, and Fetal Weight
jkan-41-276-i004

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