The influence of family factors on maternal attitudes

Abstract

Introduction: Positive maternal attitudes are the basis of a healthy maternal-fetal relationship and indirectly the mother's and baby's mental health. The mother's attitude towards her fetus can be influenced significantly by a number of factors, including family characteristics. Our research aims are mapping the social support and the relationship satisfaction of pregnant women, and the connection between these relationship factors and maternity attitudes. Besides maternal attitudes, we also look at the degree of paternal attitudes felt by pregnant women and the supporting role of the health visitor.
Methods: Our sample consists pregnant women in a relationship over 18 years of age (n=547), with an average age of 28.7 (SD=5.3) years. We used two standard questionnaires, the Relationship Satisfaction Scale and the Social Support Questionnaire together with a self-constructed questionnaire for demographic data, maternal and paternal attitudes and cooperation with the health visitor. The used statistical methods were: χ2-test, independent sample t-test, correlation analysis (Spearman, Pearson), independent samples variance analysis.
Results: In our study maternal attitudes were independent of the marital status (p=0.249) and the quality of the relationship (r=0.028, p=0.507). However, it showed a significant, but weak, negligible correlation with social support (r=0.105; p=0.014) and the strength of the parent relationship (p<0.001; r=0.135). Women who expected their first baby (p=0.009) and planned pregnancy (p<0.010) showedsignificantly higher maternal attitudes. The observed paternal attitude was considerably higher in spousal relationships (p=0.003) and in planned pregnancy (p<0.010). There was a moderate positive correlation with relationship satisfaction (r=0.642; p<0.001) and poor correlation with the level of social support (r=0.229, p<0.001), as well as with maternal attitudes (r=0.292; p=0.001). Joint participation in counselling with the health visitors was associated with higher parental attitudes (p<0.001) and relationship satisfaction (p=0,002).
Discussion: Given that in planned pregnancy both the mother’s and father’s attitudes were higher, it would be worthwhile to put emphasis on family planning. The perceived paternal attitude is related to relationship satisfaction, counselling with the health visitor together, and weaker related to maternal attitudes. Strengthening the relationship with the partner, and the joint consultation can promote developing a positive maternal attitude by increasing the father’s attitude.