Abstract:
This study was a descriptive research designed to explore the correlations between selected factors and maternal-infant attachment of mothers who received unplanned cesarean sections using the Maternal-Infant Attachment Theory of Klaus & Kennel (Klaus & Kennell, 1982) as the conceptual framework. The subjects were composed of 100 mothers who had undergone unplanned cesarean sections and had postpartum recovery care at the Obstetrics- Gynecology Patient Ward in Police General Hospital from September 2016 - January 2017. The subjects were purposively recruited based on inclusion criteria. Data collection instruments consisted of the Demographic Data Questionnaire, the Perceived Childbirth Experience Questionnaire, the Nurses' Labor Support Scale and Maternal Attachment Inventory (MAI). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson's Product Moment Correlation Coefficient. According to the findings, the factors correlated with maternal-infant attachment in the mothers who had undergone unplanned cesarean section were perceived childbirth experience (r = .36) and nursing support during labor (r = .21) with statistical significance (p < .05). Based on the findings of this study, nurses should assess perceived childbirth experience and provide nursing support for women in labor meeting professional standards to promote maternal-infant attachment.