Fetal Attachment Among Pregnant Substance Users

<p>Identification of factors that may lead to child maltreatment is important for intervention at the earliest point in time. Substance use can adversely impact the developing bond between mother and child. The formation of an insecure attachment relationship may place the child at a greater risk for child abuse or neglect. If the mother-child bond can be assessed during pregnancy then intervention relating to attachment and prevention of child abuse may be possible. The relationships between childhood history of and the potential for child abuse, substance use, and fetal attachment were investigated utilizing a sample of 56 pregnant women from a local clinic and jail. Participants ranged in age from 18 to 40 years and were between 10-40 weeks pregnant. Women completed 3 measures that assessed their childhood history of abuse, potential to commit child abuse, fetal attachment, feelings about pregnancy, and current substance use. Feelings about pregnancy appeared to have important ramifications for fetal bonding and the potential for child abuse.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts (MA)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Year

2003

Author dc:creator

• Barcley, Trisha Paulette

Contributors dc:contributor

• Kiti Freier
• Gloria Cowan
• Louis Jenkins
• Vanessa Long

• Psychology
• Substance-Related Disorders -- psychology; Pregnancy Complications; Maternal-Fetal Exchange; Child Abuse -- psychology; Mother-Child Relations; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Object Attachment

Statement dc:rights

• This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/1130

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarsrepository.llu.edu:etd-2666