Investigation of the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and mother to infant bonding in postpartum women

Objective: The aim of the study is to evaluate the relationship between the fear of COVID-19 and mother to infant bonding in postpartum women.
Material and methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted online from social media platforms. The women who were in the postpartum period (between 1-40 days), using smart phones, and healthy for themselves and their babies were included in the study. The sample was determined by power analysis and the study was completed with 205 puerperal women. Personal Information Form, Coronavirus (COVID-19) Fear Scale and Mother to Infant Bonding Scale (MIBS) were used to collect data.
Results: It was determined that the mean score of the Women's Fear of Coronavirus (COVID-19) Scale was 16.85±6.42 and the mean score of the Mother to Infant Bonding Scale was 3.18±3.58. It was found that there was no significant relationship between fear of coronavirus and mother to infant bonding levels of the women participating in the study (r=0.046, p=0.478). It has been observed that the income status of women, regular doctor check-ups, having a coronavirus disease, being vaccinated against COVID-19 affect the fear of COVID-19, while mother to infant bonding is affected by regular doctor check-ups, being vaccinated against COVID-19, and losing their family due to COVID-19.
Conclusion: It was concluded that women in the postpartum period should be supported by health professionals from the pregnancy period in order to cope with the fear of COVID-19 and to achieve safe and healthy mother to infant bonding.