Maternal antenatal attachment style and potential fetal abuse

Objective: Maternal antenatal emotional attachment (MAEA) to the fetus has been proposed as an important factor for the emergence of harm to the unbor n child. The present study investigated whether MAEA was associated with se lf-reported intent to harm the fetus. Method: Forty pregnant women, referred for psychological evaluation, comple ted a self-report measure of MAEA, the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory -2 (MCMI-2) and confidential self-report questions on irritation with the f etus, urge to harm the fetus and predicted future loss of control with the child. Interview data was used to determine the mothers' adult attachment s tyles. Results: (1) Negative preoccupied MAEA was associated with increased likeli hood of reported irritation with the fetus, preoccupied adult attachment, b orderline, histrionic, paranoid personality dimensions and symptoms of anxi ety, mood disturbances and depression. (2) Negative disinterested MAEA was associated with a dismissing adult attachment, narcissistic, antisocial, ag gressive-sadistic and passive-aggressive personality dimensions, alcohol de pendence, but not self-report intention to harm the fetus. Conclusion: The findings are discussed in terms of their implications for u nderstanding difficulties which may emerge in mother-fetus bonding and the identification of and interventions for mothers who report an intention to harm the fetus. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd.