THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MATERNAL ATTACHMENT AND SELF-ESTEEM IN MOTHERS OF HOSPITALIZED PRETERM INFANTS IN NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNITS

Background & Aims: Hospitalization of preterm infants in intensive care unit leads to separation of parents from their infants and chaos in family life. This study aimed to determine the relationship between maternal attachment and self-esteem in mothers of hospitalized premature infants in neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Materials & Methods: This descriptive correlational research was conducted on 200 mothers of preterm infants hospitalized in neonatal Intensive Care Units in selected hospitals of Birjand University of medical sciences. The sampling was done with simple random method. Data collection was performed using the Rosenberg’s self-esteem scale and Lifer maternal- fetal relationship scale. Then, the data analysis was done by SPSS version 19. Results: Results showed that 51/5 percent of mothers were within the age range of 20-30 years. Mean and standard deviation of self-esteem and maternal attachment were 22.7 ± 4.6 and 32.2 ± 4.2, respectively. The spearman test showed that there was a significant correlation between maternal-fetal attachment and self-esteem (p <0.05,r= 0.332). Also, correlation between Self-esteem and age of mothers was negative. Divorced, widowed and addicted mothers have a lower self-esteem scale. There was a positive and significant correlation between self-esteem, level of education, income and birth weight. Also, mothers who were breastfeeding had higher self-esteem. Conclusion: According to the results of the study, there was a positive and significant relationship between self-esteem and maternal attachment in mothers of preterm infants. Therefore, providing maternal educational support packages while caring for preterm infants can be effective in promoting motherschr('39') self-esteem and consequently improving mother-infant attachment.  Younger mothers and the motherchr('39')s higher level of education, higher income, optimal weight of the child, and breastfeeding increased self-esteem and attachment. Implementing educational programs on the necessity of skin-to-skin contact with the infants and how to communicate with the child, how to deal with and manage the infantchr('39')s problems, involvement of family members in infant’s care and coping strategies, dealing with problems and acceptance of life responsibilities can be used for the mental health of mothers with preterm infants. It is also recommended to perform nursing care with emphasis on creating a close relationship between mother and child such as touch, massage and kangaroo care in neonatal Intensive Care Units.