A Longitudinal Exploration of the Transition to Motherhood
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Development of the Caregiving Behavioural System: A Longitudinal Exploration of the Transition to Motherhood
IRAS ID
123387
Contact name
Jessica Brennan
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 31 days
Research summary
The goal of the proposed study is to longitudinally explore the developmental trajectory of the caregiving behavioural system during a woman’s transition to motherhood, beginning in her third trimester of pregnancy and ending when her child is 12 to 14 months old.
The mother-infant relationship during pregnancy has been the subject of research in many areas of psychology. Klaus, Kennell, and Klaus (1995) researched the relationship as a possible explanation of the beginning of maternal bonding. Bowlby (1988) suggested that pregnancy was a time when a woman must begin to see herself as able to provide a secure base for her child and to see herself as a mother. Condon (1993) has suggested that prenatal attachment is “the emotional tie or bond which normally develops between the pregnant woman and her unborn infant” (p. 167).
The aim of this study is to examine which factors impact the prenatal relationship between mothers-to-be and their foetus and how these factors affect the child’s attachment to his or her mother at 12 months after birth.
A community sample of first time mothers in their third trimester of pregnancy will be recruited from the Norwich area. Participants will be involved in the study for a maximum of 17 months, which will include three data collection points. Involvement will include a combination of questionnaires, in person interview and a brief projective assessment, and a behavioural observation laboratory visit. The questionnaires, interviews, projective assessment and behavioural observation labroratory vist are described in detail in the attached protocol.
Understanding how this relationship develops and whether or not it is important to children’s later attachment to their mothers will guide the development of further research and early interventions in parenting.
REC name
East of England - Cambridge South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/EE/1189
Date of REC Opinion
18 Dec 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion