A review of scales to measure the mother–foetus relationship

Abstract

Research focusing on the prenatal mother–child relationship has begun to create a body of scientific knowledge. The aim of our article is to bring a selective overview of research on scales to measure the mother–foetus relationship (MFR). First, we describe the construction and available information on psychometric properties of three frequently used scales – the Maternal Foetal Attachment Scale (MFAS), Maternal Antenatal Attachment Scale (MAAS), Prenatal Attachment Inventory (PAI), and some other scales. Second, we review empirical research using these scales (a) to study some of the supposed effects of the MFR on the health behaviour of the mother and the well‐being of the child, and (b) to examine factors that influence the prenatal maternal–foetal relationship. We focus this review on a description of research with MFR scales that are relevant for clinical obstetrics, gynaecology and reproductive psychology. Some suggestions for further research are made.

Keywords:

• pregnancy
• development
• psychosocial factors
• mother–foetus relationship

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by Grant no. G.0211.03 of the Fund for Scientific Research Flanders (Belgium), and by grants IMPH/06/GHW of the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KU Leuven).