A meta-analytic study of predictors of maternal-fetal attachment

ObjectivesTo identify predictors of maternal-fetal attachment (MFA) through a comprehensive review of the literature, and to use quantitative meta-analysis to determine the magnitude of the relationship between each predictor and MFA.DesignThe literature reviewed included 183 studies of MFA, published and unpublished, between 1981 and 2006.MethodsSeventy-two studies met the inclusion criteria and yielded 14 predictors of MFA. A meta-analysis was performed on each of the 14 predictors in relation to MFA.ResultsThe results indicated that gestational age had a moderate to substantial effect size. Two predictors (social support and prenatal testing) had moderate effect sizes; 10 predictors (anxiety, self-esteem, depression, planned pregnancy, age, parity, ethnicity, marital status, income, and education) had low effect sizes. High-risk pregnancy had a trivial effect size.ConclusionsThe most powerful predictors of MFA using meta-analysis were identified to direct future research and evidence-based practice.