Mother to infant attachment and body image in the postpartum period.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Body image concerns in the postpartum period and the bonding process between mothers and their babies.
IRAS ID
219077
Contact name
Katie Williams
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leeds
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 30 days
Research summary
This is a maternal mental health study which is exploring the relationship between the way a mother feels about her body and the bond she experiences with her baby. The aims of this study are to explore the relationship between mother to infant attachment and weight, shape and eating concerns in mothers. A secondary aim is to see whether weight, shape and eating concerns change over the course of the postpartum period (the period following the birth). Data will be captured when the baby is approximately 6-weeks and 6-months old. Mothers who attend their 6-week postnatal health check with their GP will be given an information pack about the study. This will include consent forms, participant information sheets and details of how to be involved in the research (either by post, telephone interview or online survey).
Surveys will be returned to the researcher who will then follow the participants up 6 months later and repeat the questionnaires. The questionnaires will capture information on the mother to infant attachment, weight shape and eating concerns, maternal mental health and other demographic information. Data collection will take place for approximately 10 months to allow data collection and the follow-up period.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/YH/0178
Date of REC Opinion
3 Jul 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion