Attachment style and maternal representations during pregnancy

Abstract

Various authors support the theory that the mother-child bond begins in gestation, through a mental representation which the mother constructs during pregnancy. This image would be based on their own childhood experience, which lays the foundation for the transgenerational transmission of the attachment relationship type that will be formed. 

Objective: To study the relationship between the pregnant mother's history of attachment and her attachment style during pregnancy, including the types of images formed about her future son or daughter as well as herself as a mother. 

Patients and Method: Three first time pregnant women with different attachment styles were identified through the Parental Bonding Instrument. An in-depth interview was performed with each individual. Flick's adaptation of Grounded Theory was applied during data analysis. Results show that differences exist both in the thematic contents as in the quality, quantity and coherence of their representations depending upon the attachment style. 

Discussion: These results contribute to the knowledge of the representational world of the pregnant woman, allowing for improved prenatal interventions that will promote secure mother-child attachment.