Relationship between health literacy and maternal bonding: A prospective cross sectional study

Abstract

Background: Maternal bonding has an effect on the baby throughout its life. The effective and complete occurrence of the mother‑baby bond depends on many factors which can be individual or environmental. Health literacy plays an important role in the health behaviors of individuals, the prevention of diseases, and the improvement of health. Health literacy is a key determinant of medical‑related issues. Objectives: This study was conducted to examine the relationship between health literacy and mother‑infant attachment in infancy. It was aimed to predict the biopsychosocial impact of the mother’s health literacy level on the baby’s life indirectly. Materials and Methods: The sample of this descriptive and cross-sectional study included 202 mothers. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, Health Literacy Scale‑Short Form (HLS‑SF), and Maternal Attachment Inventory (MAI). Results: There were no statistical correlations between HLS‑SF scores and MAI scores. In addition, the mothers with a statistically significant higher MAI score were those whose partners had a higher education level, had a planned pregnancy, worked in the prenatal period, never breastfed, and had earlier skin‑to‑skin contact with their baby. (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Factors that may affect maternal bonding, which affects a baby’s entire life, should be addressed by the authorities and necessary improvements would be useful. We believe that this previously unexplored study will pave the way for multicenter similar studies.