The relationship between maternal-foetal attachment, self esteem and social support in pregnant adolescents

Fifty pregnant teenagers (mean age 17.8, range 15-19) were recruited to take part in a semi-structured research interview investigating the relationships between self esteem, social support and maternal-foetal attachment. Three objective research instruments were employed: i) The Maternal-Foetal Attachment Scale (MFAS, Cranley, 1981), ii) The Support Behaviours Inventory (SBI, Brown, 1988) and iii) Rosenberg's Self Esteem Scale (RSE, Rosenberg, 1979). Measures of social support were derived from self-ratings and qualitative data was collected exploring the mother's relationship with her foetus.