A Study To Assess The Maternal–Infant Attachment Among Mothers of Premature Babies in A Selected NICU in Sangli Miraj Kupwad Corporation

Abstract

Objectives

1.To assess the level of maternal–infant attachment among mothers of premature babies.

2.To determine the association between the level of maternal-infant attachment and selected

demographic variables

Material and Methods

A quantitative, non-experimental descriptive cross-sectional  was conducted across selected NICUs. research design was adopted for the study. Conducted across selected NICUs within the Sangli–Miraj–Kupwad Corporation, the study evaluated a sample of 110 mothers of stable preterm infants born before 37 weeks of gestation. Data were collected via a non-probability purposive/convenient sampling technique using a structured demographic questionnaire and a 25-item standardized 5-point Likert Maternal–Infant Attachment Scale. Analysis was completed in SPSS using descriptive statistics and the Chi-square test.

Results

Out of the 110 participants, the vast majority of mothers 90%, (n = 99) demonstrated a high level of maternal–infant attachment with their premature babies, while the remaining 10% n = 11\)) exhibited a moderate level of attachment. None of the mothers fell into the low attachment bracket. Inferential statistics showed no statistically significant relationship (\(p > 0.05\)) between maternal–infant attachment levels and any demographic/clinical parameters, including mother's age (\(p = 0.783\)), family structure (\(p = 0.340\)), gestational age (\(p = 0.103\)), infants birth weight (\(p = 0.562\)), infant gender (\(p = 1.000\)), 5-minute APGAR score (\(p = 0.459\)), or length of NICU stay (\(p = 0.063\)).

Conclusion

Maternal–infant attachment is a natural, resilient emotional process that develops strongly regardless of individual maternal or neonatal demographic variants, even within challenging and stressful clinical environments like the NICU.