Prediction of Maternal-Fetal Attachment Based on the Components of Gender Role in Pregnant women

Background aim: Maternal concept is part of the feminine gender role. An important component of maternal concept is the unique relationship experience between mother and child that begins with maternal-fetal attachment (MFA) during pregnancy. In this study, we aimed to predict MFA according to gender role in pregnant women. Methods: This descriptive, correlational study was conducted on 171 primiparous and multiparous women of more than 24 weeks of gestation, referring to the Obstetrics and Midwifery Department of Kowsar Hospital, Shiraz, Iran, during May-June 2015. The participants were selected using purposive sampling, and data were collected using a demographic-obstetric form including age and obstetric information, Cranley’s Maternal-Fetal Attachment questionnaire, and Bem’s Gender Role questionnaire. To analyze the data, Pearson product-moment coefficient and multiple regressions were performed, using SPSS version 16. Results: There was a statistically significant correlation between MFA and femininity and masculinity components of gender role. Maximum correlation was noted between masculinity and MFA (R=0.33, P 0.001) and between femininity and MFA (R=0.24, P=0.009). However, there was no correlation between neutrality and MFA (R=0.12, P=0.084). Almost 14% of the variance in MFA was explained by gender role. According to regression coefficients, the femininity (β=0.159, P=0.015) and masculinity indicators (β=0.266, P=0.001) could predict MFA, while neutral component (β=0.109, P=0.064) did not predict MFA. Conclusion: Gender role is part of mental health that predicts MFA during pregnancy. As maternal mental health can be promoted by identifying mothers based on gender role, to promote behavioral attachment, healthcare providers can identify mothers who need additional psychological support during pregnancy in health centers and improve MFA behaviors during prenatal care.