The parental bond is characterized by the perception of care and protection received by parental figures throughout human development. During the gestational period, the intensity in which the woman manifests behaviors and feelings for the fetus was denominated maternal-fetal attachment (MFA). In this perspective, the literature indicates that there is association between MFA and the pregnant woman's perception about the bond established with her parents. This study aimed to evaluate the association between MFA and perceived parental bonds of pregnant women in the city of Pelotas/RS (Brazil). This is a cohort study with 839 women during their gestational period. All women answered to the Parental Bonding Instrument to investigate the perceived parental bonds, and the MFA was assessed through the Maternal-Fetal Attachment Scale. The main results showed that perceived paternal overprotection was associated with a higher MFA after adjustment (B 2.00 CI95% 0.30; 3.70). Additionally, the pregnant women who were in the first trimester of pregnancy (p < 0.001), who did not live with a partner (p = 0.018), and who did not feel supported by the baby's father during pregnancy (p = 0.014) presented lower scores of MFA. This study showed the importance of the paternal role in the women's life, considering the perception of the bond with their father during their development, an adequate support by the father of the baby, and the presence of a partner during pregnancy. As a result, the paternal role may influence the feelings and behaviors of greater affection, care, and concern regarding the fetus.

Key words: Epidemiology; adolescents; alcohol abuse; anxiety disorder, generalized; adult development

Studies relate Maternal-Fetal Attachment (MFA) to delays in child development, however, the relationship with the social-emotional development is still unclear. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the association between MFA and social-emotional development in infants at 3 months old, in a population-based sample in southern Brazil. This was a follow-up study corresponding to second and third wave of a population-based cohort study with pregnant women who were living in Pelotas (Southern Brazil). Social-emotional development was assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development - Third Edition (BSID-III) and MFA was measured with the Maternal-Fetal Attachment Scale (MFAS). The sample consisted of 702 mother-infant dyads. In the adjusted analysis, MFA was a predictor of social-emotional development, even when controlled for sociodemographic, maternal mental health and infant characteristics. Thus, with each increase to one point in the MFA score, there was an increase of β = 0.14, 95% CI [0.05, 0.23] in the social-emotional development score. These findings highlight the importance of MFA in early child development. Thus, infants with positive experiences of affection since the gestational period will be able to develop positive social and emotional health.

The parental bonding is influenced by two dimensions: care and control or protection over the child of both parents. The lack of care during childhood may make the individual more susceptible to the onset of psychiatric disorders when adult. These psychiatric disorders when present during pregnancy may have a negative impact on the health of pregnant women and children. The aim of this study was to assess the association between generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in pregnant adolescents and the perception of parental bonding. This is a cross-sectional study with 871 pregnant women under the age of 19, receiving prenatal care in 47 Basic Health Units in the one city, Brazil. The generalized anxiety disorder was measured using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) and the perception of parental bonding in childhood using the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI). The prevalence of GAD was 8.5%. Among all the parental bonding dimensions, only a perceived lack of maternal care under 16 years was associated with GAD. The results showed that only the perception of maternal bonding was associated with later GAD. It suggests that an adequate maternal bond is an essential component of psychological health.

Family members tend to modify their routine by assisting or participating in the patient’s rituals. These behaviors have been identified as family accommodation (FA). The aim of this study was to describe the relationship between family accommodation of relatives of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) patients and their perceptions about the obsessions and compulsions of the patient. This was a cross-sectional study with family members of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in a Southern Brazilian city. The family perception of the OCD symptoms and their accommodation were assessed through the Family Accommodation Scale for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder – Interviewer-Rated (FAS-IR). The level of family accommodation was higher in those family members who lived with the patient when compared to those who did not live with them (p = .011). The obsessions associated with higher levels of family accommodation were: contamination (p < .001), hoarding/saving (p = .001), symmetry/exactness (p = .001), religious (p = .019), and diverse (p = .003). Regarding compulsions, the perception of all symptoms was associated with higher levels of family accommodation (p < .05). The family accommodation is present in family members of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder patients, regardless of the type of obsessive/compulsive symptom perceived.