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Correlates of prenatal and postnatal mother-to-infant bonding quality: A systematic review

Author

Listed:
  • Elke Tichelman
  • Myrte Westerneng
  • Anke B Witteveen
  • Anneloes L van Baar
  • Henriëtte E van der Horst
  • Ank de Jonge
  • Marjolein Y Berger
  • François G Schellevis
  • Huibert Burger
  • Lilian L Peters

Abstract

Background: Mother-to-infant bonding is defined as the emotional tie experienced by a mother towards her child, which is considered to be important for the socio-emotional development of the child. Numerous studies on the correlates of both prenatal and postnatal mother-to-infant bonding quality have been published over the last decades. An up-to-date systematic review of these correlates is lacking, however. Objective: To systematically review correlates of prenatal and postnatal mother-to-infant bonding quality in the general population, in order to enable targeted interventions. Methods: MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and PsychINFO were searched through May 2018. Reference checks were performed. Case-control, cross-sectional or longitudinal cohort studies written in English, German, Swedish, Spanish, Norwegian, French or Dutch defining mother-to-infant bonding quality as stipulated in the protocol (PROSPERO CRD42016040183) were included. Two investigators independently reviewed abstracts, full-text articles and extracted data. Methodological quality was assessed using the National Institute of Health Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-sectional studies and was rated accordingly as poor, fair or good. Clinical and methodological heterogeneity were examined. Main results: 131 studies were included. Quality was fair for 20 studies, and poor for 111 studies. Among 123 correlates identified, 3 were consistently associated with mother-to-infant bonding quality: 1) duration of gestation at assessment was positively associated with prenatal bonding quality, 2) depressive symptoms were negatively associated with postnatal mother-to-infant bonding quality, and 3) mother-to-infant bonding quality earlier in pregnancy or postpartum was positively associated with mother-to-infant bonding quality later in time. Conclusion: Our review suggests that professionals involved in maternal health care should consider monitoring mother-to-infant bonding already during pregnancy. Future research should evaluate whether interventions aimed at depressive symptoms help to promote mother-to-infant bonding quality. More high-quality research on correlates for which inconsistent results were found is needed.

Suggested Citation

  • Elke Tichelman & Myrte Westerneng & Anke B Witteveen & Anneloes L van Baar & Henriëtte E van der Horst & Ank de Jonge & Marjolein Y Berger & François G Schellevis & Huibert Burger & Lilian L Peters, 2019. "Correlates of prenatal and postnatal mother-to-infant bonding quality: A systematic review," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(9), pages 1-15, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0222998
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0222998
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    1. Steiner, Benjamin & Butler, H. Daniel & Ellison, Jared M., 2014. "Causes and correlates of prison inmate misconduct: A systematic review of the evidence," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 42(6), pages 462-470.
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