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01-06-2010 | Original Contribution

Reliability and validity of the Dutch version of the maternal antenatal attachment scale

Authors: Johan C. H. van Bussel, Bernard Spitz, Koen Demyttenaere

Published in: Archives of Women's Mental Health | Issue 3/2010

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the psychometric qualities of the Dutch version of the Maternal Antenatal Attachment Scale (MAAS). In a monocentric prospective observational cohort study, 403 expectant mothers completed a booklet with questionnaires in the first (T1), second (T2), and third (T3) pregnancy trimesters. In addition to the MAAS (T1-T3), the following measures were used: the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale (T1), the Parental Bonding Inventory (T1), the Relationship Questionnaire (T1) the Facilitator scale and the Regulator scale (T3), the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (T1-T3) and the Pregnancy Related Anxiety Questionnaire (T1-T3). In this study, the mean of the MAAS scales increased as the pregnancy progressed. Good internal reliabilities were found for the Total MAAS scale, the Quality subscale and the Preoccupation subscale. Small-to-moderate correlations were found with social desirability, maternal orientation, parental care and adult attachment. Maternal mood was weakly associated with the quality but not with the intensity of the maternal attachment feelings. Overall, our findings suggest that the Dutch version of the Maternal Antenatal Attachment Scale is a reliable and valid measure of the early emotional tie between a pregnant woman and her unborn child.

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Title: Reliability and validity of the Dutch version of the maternal antenatal attachment scale
Authors: Johan C. H. van Bussel
Bernard Spitz
Koen Demyttenaere
Publication date: 01-06-2010
Publisher: Springer Vienna
Published in: Archives of Women's Mental Health / Issue 3/2010
Print ISSN: 1434-1816
Electronic ISSN: 1435-1102
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-009-0127-9

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Reliability and validity of the Dutch version of the maternal antenatal attachment scale

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