母亲-胎儿关系:概念、测量和影响因素

Maternal-fetal Relationship: Concept,Measurement,and Predictor

亲子关系并不仅仅始于出生之后,在怀孕期间孕妇就开始建立与胎儿的关系。母亲-胎儿关系是孕妇所产生的一种包含对胎儿的认知表征、情感投入以及行为互动的关系。目前用于测量母亲-胎儿关系水平的主要工具为母亲-胎儿依恋量表,母亲孕期依恋量表以及胚胎依恋量表。多种因素会对母亲-胎儿关系产生影响,主要包括孕妇年龄、生产经历等人口学因素,孕周、孕期检查等怀孕相关因素,以及人格特点、心理健康等心理社会因素。未来研究需要对研究方法进行改进,考察中国文化背景下母亲-胎儿关系的规律,更多关注父亲-胎儿关系的发展特点,并尝试探索干预措施来提高这种亲子关系的质量。

The maternal -fetal relationship refers to the mother＇s cognitive representation, emotional investment and interaction to the unborn fetus. Previous studies used the term maternal -fetal attachment or prenatal attachment to describe this relationship. However, there are some issues when using this term. According to the attachment theory, an infant could explore the world in safety and be consoled by their attachment figure. Meanwhile, it is also different from adult attachment because there is no reciprocal interaction between the mother and the unborn fetus. Moreover, the mother cannot seek care from her unborn children. Therefore, the present study used a more appropriate term, maternal -fetal relationship. There are three tools which were mostly used ： the Maternal - Fetal Attachment Scale, the Maternal Antenatal Attachment Scale, and the Prenatal Attachment Inventory. Maternal Fetal Attachment Scale was developed by Cranley （ 1981 ） to measure the extent to which pregnant women represent an affiliation and interaction with their unborn child, It includes 5 factors： differentiation of self from the fetus, interaction with the fetus, attributing characteristics and intentions to the fetus, giving of self, and role -taking. The Mater- nal Antenatal Attachment Scale was constructed by Condon （1993）, focusing upon feelings, behaviors and attitudes towards the fetus. It includes two dimensions： quality and intensity, The Prenatal Attachment Inventory, which was the preferable tool, was developed by Muller （1993）, It measures pregnancy adaptation and attachment literature, and describes the affiliation with the fetus. In sum, there are three major predictors of the maternal -fetal relationship： demographic factors, pregnancy - related factors, and psychosocial factors. The demographic factors suggest that mothers who are older, first - time pregnant, and live in high SES would have a better maternal - fetal relationship. The pregnancy - related factors suggest that mothers who planned for pregnancy and has no miscar- riage history would start a better maternal -fetal relationship. In addition, this relationship increases with gestational age and might be triggered by fetal movement and pregnancy test. Psyehosocial factors including personality characteristics, psychological wellbeing, memory, and social network could influence the level of maternal - fetal relationship. High detachment and ambivalence personality were linked to poor maternal - fetal relationship. Furthermore, lower depression, anxiety, and higher self - esteem and social network may contribute to a higher level of the maternal - fetal relationship. Several works need to be done in the future. Firstly, the measurement of the maternal - fetal relationship should be generalized and revised to obtain more consistent conclusions. Secondly, due to the implementation of the one - child policy, explorations of the mother -fetal relationship in theChinese context are important. Thirdly, more emphasis should be placed on the paternal -fetal relationship. Finally, the interventions of the maternal - fetal relationship should be researched as they could enhance the pregnancy adaptation of the pregnant women and safety of the fetus.