Intimate Partner Violence, Negative Attitudes Toward Pregnancy, and Mother-to-Fetus Bonding Failure Among Japanese Pregnant Women

Abstract

We examined the associations between intimate partner violence (IPV) before and during pregnancy, negative attitudes toward pregnancy, and mother-to-fetus bonding. Participants were 636 pregnant women in the third trimester, who completed the Mother-to-Infant Bonding Scale, Violence Against Women Screen, and ad hoc questions (for IPV before pregnancy, negative attitudes, and demographics). We found association between IPV during pregnancy and mother-to-fetus bonding failure was mediated by negative attitudes toward pregnancy in the third trimester. IPV before pregnancy was associated with negative attitudes at the beginning of pregnancy, which predicted negative attitudes in the third trimester and mother-to-fetus bonding failure. Careful assessments and psychological interventions are needed to reduce negative attitudes toward pregnancy among abused women in antenatal health settings to prevent mother-to-fetus bonding failure.