Asami Matsunaga1, Fumie Takauma2, Katsuhiko Tada3, Toshinori Kitamura4. 1. Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, 4-1-1 Ogawahigashi-cho, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8553, Japan; Kitamura Institute of Mental Health Tokyo, Flat A, Tomigaya Riverland House, 2-26-3 Tomigaya, Shibuya, Tokyo 151-0063, Japan. Electronic address: asamim@ncnp.go.jp. 2. Okayama University Hospital, 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kita, Okayama, Okayama, 700-8558, Japan. Electronic address: takaum-f@cc.okayama-u.ac.jp. 3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Hospital Organization, Okayama Medical Center, 1711-1 Tamasu, Kita, Okayama, Okayama 701-1192, Japan. Electronic address: ktada@okayamamc.jp. 4. Kitamura Institute of Mental Health Tokyo, Flat A, Tomigaya Riverland House, 2-26-3 Tomigaya, Shibuya, Tokyo 151-0063, Japan; Department of Psychiatry, Graduate school of Medicine, Nagoya University, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8550, Japan. Electronic address: kitamura@institute-of-mental-health.jp.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Difficulty of maternal bonding towards a baby is widely recognised. It is unclear whether this phenomenon is dimensional or categorical. If categorical, an optimal cut-off score of a screening instrument is needed in clinical settings. AIMS: In this study, we investigated whether maternal bonding is dimensional or categorical phenomenon and try to set optimal cut-off score of screening instruments. METHODS: Self-report questionnaire studies were conducted in a general hospital and four antenatal clinics. Two-step cluster analysis was conducted for the Mother-to-Infant Bonding Scale (MIBS) subscale scores in 723 mothers of neonates. ROC curves and optimal cut-off points of the MIBS scores were calculated based on cluster-analysis derived groups. RESULTS: A 2-cluster structure appeared: "normal" (n=619) vs. "pathological maternal bonding" (n=104). Mothers of the latter category scored significantly higher in terms of postnatal depression and neonatal abuse than those of the former category. AUC of the ROC curve by the total MIBS scores both 5days and 1month after childbirth were >0.9. The optimal cut off scores were 3/4 at 5days, and 4/5 at 1month, after childbirth. CONCLUSIONS: There was a group of mothers with high MIBS scores discretely different from those with low MIBS scores. MIBS may be a useful tool to identify mothers with a severe bonding disorder that needs clinical intervention.
BACKGROUND: Difficulty of maternal bonding towards a baby is widely recognised. It is unclear whether this phenomenon is dimensional or categorical. If categorical, an optimal cut-off score of a screening instrument is needed in clinical settings. AIMS: In this study, we investigated whether maternal bonding is dimensional or categorical phenomenon and try to set optimal cut-off score of screening instruments. METHODS: Self-report questionnaire studies were conducted in a general hospital and four antenatal clinics. Two-step cluster analysis was conducted for the Mother-to-Infant Bonding Scale (MIBS) subscale scores in 723 mothers of neonates. ROC curves and optimal cut-off points of the MIBS scores were calculated based on cluster-analysis derived groups. RESULTS: A 2-cluster structure appeared: "normal" (n=619) vs. "pathological maternal bonding" (n=104). Mothers of the latter category scored significantly higher in terms of postnatal depression and neonatal abuse than those of the former category. AUC of the ROC curve by the total MIBS scores both 5days and 1month after childbirth were >0.9. The optimal cut off scores were 3/4 at 5days, and 4/5 at 1month, after childbirth. CONCLUSIONS: There was a group of mothers with high MIBS scores discretely different from those with low MIBS scores. MIBS may be a useful tool to identify mothers with a severe bonding disorder that needs clinical intervention.
Authors: Elke Tichelman; Jens Henrichs; François G Schellevis; Marjolein Y Berger; Huibert Burger Journal: PLoS One Date: 2020-11-04 Impact factor: 3.240