Effect of gravidity on social support perception and prenatal attachment

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of gravidity on perception of social support and prenatal attachment of pregnant women. Materials and Methods: Descriptive analytical research design was used in this study. The sample consisted of 98 primigravid and 107 multigravid women. It was used 98 primigravid and 107 multigravid women. It was used Participant Description Questionnaire, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPS) and Prenatal Attachment Inventory (PAI) for the data collection. Results: Median score of MSPS was 74.0 (13-84) and mean score of PAI was 41.16 +/- 10.65 for pregnant women. PAI score of multigravid was higher than primigravid. PAI scores of pregnant women were found statistically significant by age, education level and employment status. PAI score of primigravid was found significantly lower in the third trimester than the other trimesters. The high level positive correlation between the total score of MSPS and subscales of MSPS of pregnant women. There was negative correlation between the total score of MSPS PAI in multigravid and all of the pregnant women. Conclusion: Education level, age, income, employment status effect of social support perception and prenatal attachment level during pregnancy. Multigravidity positively affects prenatal attachment; in primigravid women, prenatal attachment level to be low in the last trimester. While the prenatal attachment of pregnant women increases, perception of social support decreased.