Perceived relationship with the father of the baby and maternal attachment in adolescents.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the perceived relationship with the father of the baby and maternal attachment in pregnant adolescents.

DESIGN

Exploratory, longitudinal, using a convenience sample.

SETTING

Four antepartum clinics for low-income women.

PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-nine adolescents, ages 12-19 years, < 20 weeks gestation; follow-up assessments at 20-29 weeks (n = 64), 30-40 weeks (n = 54), and within 1 week after birth (n = 47). Chi-square analysis showed no differences in demographic characteristics or major variables of those who completed the study and those who dropped out (p > or = .89).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

An investigator-developed Father of the Baby Scale, Cranley's Maternal-Fetal Attachment Scale, and Avant's Maternal Attachment Assessment Strategy.

RESULTS

A close and satisfying relationship with the father of the baby was positively correlated with some aspects of maternal-fetal attachment (r = .24 to .33, p < .05) and maternal-infant attachment (r = .38, p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study lend tentative support to Rubin's theory of maternal identity formation. A close and satisfying relationship with the father of the baby has a positive influence on maternal attachment behaviors. Additional research related to the adolescent's relationship with the father of the baby is needed. Fathers of the babies of adolescent mothers should be included, where appropriate, in ongoing care of the mother and infant.