ABSTRACT
Objective: This study examined the relationship between coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic-related psychiatric
symptoms and prenatal attachment in pregnant women, a group particularly vulnerable to the psychological, social, and
economic effects of the pandemic.
Method: The study group consisted of 68 pregnant women with a healthy pregnancy with no reported psychiatric or other
illness. The participants were grouped as those who were pregnant with low COVID-19 anxiety and obsession (Cluster 1) and
those who were pregnant with high COVID-19 anxiety and obsession (Cluster 2) based on online scale scores.
Results: The prenatal attachment scores of Cluster 1 were significantly higher than those of Cluster 2. The parameter of financial
difficulties due to COVID-19 circumstances was significantly different between the groups.
Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that anxiety, obsessions, and financial difficulties due to the pandemic might
have negatively affected mothers' attachment to the child. Due to the possible effects of weak maternal attachment on the
child’s mental health, prenatal attachment may be a point for exploration of the psychological effects of the pandemic on
future generations.