Abstract

GOMEZ, Rita  and  LEAL, Isabel. Parental attachment during pregnancy: Portuguese version of the antenatal emotional attachment scale for expectant parents. Psic., Saúde & Doenças [online]. 2007, vol.8, n.2, pp.153-165. ISSN 1645-0086.

The maternal and the paternal forms of the Antenatal Emotional Attachment Scale (AEAS; J.T. Condon, 1993) were adapted for use with Portuguese expectant parents. Both Portuguese forms of the AEAS have a good level of internal consistenc y and test-retest stability. We also analysed the association of the scores in AEAS with time of gestation, age, parental experience, marital adjustment, maternal depression and paternal involvement after the birth. The results are not counter-intuitive and are in line with previous research. In general, the results indicate that the Portuguese forms of the AEAS are reliable and valid measures of prenatal attachment. However, this study does not support the multidimensional model presented by Condon and suggests, instead, that prenatal attachment as measured by the AEAS is unidimensional.

Keywords : Antenatal Emotional Attachment Scale; Measurement of maternal and paternal involvement; Parental behavior; Pregnancy.

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