The relationship between mothers’ birth memories and attachment styles

INTRODUCTION: This study was conducted to examine the relationship between mothers' birth memories and secure and insecure attachment styles was investigated.
METHODS: Two-hundred forty-one women who met the inclusion criteria were included in this descriptive and relation-ship-seeking study from October to December 2020. The research data were collected using the Introductory Information Form, the Birth Memories and Recall Questionnaire, and Adult Attachment Style Scale.
RESULTS: It was determined that 47.3% of the mothers were between the ages of 25–29 years, 56.4% of them had a university or higher education level. There was a positive, moderate correlation between insecure attachment, with the mean score of memory centrality (p≤0.001), coherence and reliving (p≤0.001), sensory memory (p≤0.001), and recall (p≤0.001). It was determined that the independent variables that had an effect on the total score of the Birth Memories and Recall Questionnaire were abortion history (p≤0.05), planned pregnancy (p≤0.05), and experiencing a distressing event at birth (p≤0.05).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: In the study, it was determined that there was a difference between positive and negative birth memories and attachment styles. In this context, emotional needs of mothers as well as their physical needs should be taken into account, and supportive care should be provided.