The Relationship Among Mother-Daughter Relationship, Husband-Wife Relationship and Prenatal Attachment according to Pregnant Women's Internal Working Model

Jeong, Young Sook

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship among mother-daughter relationship, husband-wife relationship, and prenatal attachment according to pregnant women's internal working model. METHOD: A convenience sample of 68 pregnant women was recruited from two OBGYN hospitals in M city. Data collection was conducted through the use of an Adult Attachment Interview and questionnaires. This study used a descriptive correlational design and the period of investigation was from July 3-20, 2002. 41 of the 68 women were in a secure pregnant women's internal working model and 27 of the 68 in insecure ones. The data were analyzed by Chi-square test, t-test, and Pearson Correlation Coefficient. RESULT: The results of this study were as follows: Mean score of the prenatal attachment of the secure pregnant women and mean score of the mother-daughter relationship of the secure pregnant women was significantly higher than that of insecure ones. 3) Prenatal attachment was negatively and significantly related to mother-daughter attachment and husband-wife attachment in the secure pregnant women's internal working model. However it was not significantly relationship in insecure pregnant women's internal working model. CONCLUSION: It is found in this study that there is an intergenerational attachment relationship during pregnancy. Further findings support the development of creative strategies to enhance positive attachment relationships for pregnant women. It is recommended to develop nursing education of attachment for the insecure pregnant women's internal working model.