Scale Description

The Maternal Antenatal Attachment Scale (MAAS-19) is a psychometric tool designed to assess the quality of the emotional bond that a mother develops with her unborn child during pregnancy. The scale consists of 19 items and measures two main dimensions: the intensity of emotional attachment and the quality of the mother’s feelings towards the fetus. Responses are provided on a Likert scale, allowing mothers to express the degree to which they agree with each statement.

Data Analysis and Use

Data analysis of the MAAS-19 involves evaluating the scores for the two main dimensions of attachment. These scores are used to examine differences in the emotional bonds that mothers develop with their unborn children and to explore the factors influencing the development of this attachment. Data from the MAAS-19 can also be used in studies investigating the relationship between antenatal attachment and the subsequent mother-child relationship.

Objective

The objective of the MAAS-19 is to provide a reliable and valid tool for assessing maternal antenatal attachment. Understanding the emotional bond developed during pregnancy is crucial for supporting maternal mental health and strengthening the mother-child relationship after birth.

Calibration

Calibration of the MAAS-19 involves testing the scale’s internal consistency, reliability, and validation through comparative studies with other measures of emotional attachment. This process is conducted using data from various populations to ensure the tool’s validity across different cultural and social contexts.

Bibliography

Condon, J. T. (1993). The assessment of antenatal emotional attachment: Development of a questionnaire instrument. British Journal of Medical Psychology, 66(2), 167-183.

Condon, J. T., & Corkindale, C. J. (1997). The correlates of antenatal attachment in pregnant women. British Journal of Medical Psychology, 70(4), 359-372.

Brandon, A. R., Pitts, S., Denton, W. H., Stringer, C. A., & Evans, H. M. (2009). A history of the theory of prenatal attachment. Journal of Prenatal & Perinatal Psychology & Health, 23(4), 201-222.

Van Bussel, J. C., Spitz, B., & Demyttenaere, K. (2010). Reliability and validity of the Dutch version of the Maternal Antenatal Attachment Scale. Archives of Women’s Mental Health, 13(3), 267-277.

Alhusen, J. L. (2008). A literature update on maternal-fetal attachment. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing, 37(3), 315-328.