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Brockington, I. F.; Oates, J.; George, S.; Turner, D.; Vostanis, P.; Sullivan, M.; Loh, C. and Murdoch, C.
(2001).
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s007370170010
Abstract
Background: There is a need in primary care for an easily administered instrument to give early indications of disorders in mother-infant relationships.
Methods: An 84 item questionnaire was administered to 104 subjects, including normal mothers, depressed mothers with a normal mother-infant relationship and mothers with bonding disorders. A principle component analysis was used to select items for scale construction. Scale scores were compared with interview data. Reliability, sensitivity and specificity of the scales were measured.
Findings: 4 factors of clinical relevance were obtained and used to construct 4 scales. The questionnaire was reduced to 25 questions. Scale 1 (impaired bonding) had a sensitivity of 0.93 in detecting mothers with bonding disorder. Scale 2 (rejection and anger) specifically identified mothers with severe disorders. Scale 3 may be useful in anxious mothers. Scale 4 signalled the presence of incipient abuse, requiring urgent intervention.
Interpretation: This questionnaire can be used, with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, by midwives and health visitors, for the early diagnosis of mother-infant bonding disorders.
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)
