The relatıonshıp between pregnant women's anxıety levels about coronavırus and prenatal attachment

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to determine the relationship between pregnant women's anxiety levels related to concerns about the effect of coronavirus on prenatal attachment. Design and method: This a descriptive and correlational design study was conducted from September 2020 to January 2021; it included 101 pregnant women who were more than 20 weeks pregnant. Introductory questionnaire, the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale and the Prenatal Attachment Inventory were used as data collection tools. Results: Of the participants, 80.2% were 35 years old or younger. The participants' mean Coronavirus Anxiety Scale score was 8.85 ± 5.02 (min: 0, max: 17), which was close to the scale's cut-off value. Of the participants, 68.3% had high levels of perceived anxiety about coronavirus. The participants' mean Prenatal Attachment Inventory score was 60.08 ± 21.26 (min: 21, max: 84). Of the participants, 54.3% had high levels of Prenatal Attachment Inventory. Correlation analysis found a negative, but significant relationship between the participants' scores on the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale and the Prenatal Attachment Inventory (r = ?244, p = 0.014). Conclusion: The participants' prenatal attachment levels increased as their perceived anxiety scores about coronavirus decreased. © 2021 Elsevier Inc.