A premature delivery is an atypical, adverse experience for a mother and her baby. Advances in neonatal medicine and technology have prompted new parameters of viability for this fragile population. Less is known, however, about the impact of high-risk characteristics on the formative attachment between mother and baby. This study tested the hypothesis that mothers and infants with higher-risk characteristics (post-partum depression, infrequent NICU visitation, low gestational age, low birthweight, and extended NICU stays) experience a lesser degree of maternal attachment than mothers and infants with lower-risk characteristics (no post-partum depression, frequent visitation, moderate-to-late preterm status with higher birthweights and shorter lengths of stay) when controlling for civil status and number of siblings.

This study utilized a correlational design and a nonprobability convenience sample of N= 101 mother-infant dyads in a NICU at a university hospital in a large metropolitan area of the southern US. Measurements included the Maternal Attachment Inventory, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and data from electronic medical records. Hypothesis was tested using regression analyses with n=77, given missing outcome data. Due to the ceiling effect of the DV (Maternal Attachment) each item of the scale was explored via a post hoc series of One-Way ANOVAs to anatomize attachment domains and clarify specific areas of attachment challenge.

The hypothesis was unsupported; however, post hoc results yielded some insight into the impact of postpartum depression on a mother’s thought capacity for her baby. Additionally, four of the items from the MAI were more normally distributed than the overall score, suggesting specific attachment challenges in understanding one’s baby, thought capacity for one’s baby, and having fun with one’s baby. baby. Researchers explore these results in greater detail, considering environmental constraints and traumatic circumstances that are unique to the NICU and these specific areas of attachment. Clinical interventions are suggested, which may support staff and parents in navigating NICU/postpartum trauma, including dissociative or avoidant behaviors that negatively impact maternal attachment.