The relationship between loneliness, fear of childbirth, and prenatal attachment in pregnant women

Loneliness is a significant psychosocial factor that can affect mental well-being during pregnancy. This study aimed to examine the relationship between loneliness, fear of childbirth, and prenatal attachment in pregnant women. In this cross-sectional study, 232 pregnant women (≥ 20 weeks gestation, aged ≥ 18 years, without chronic illness, high-risk pregnancy, or infertility treatment) were recruited through purposive sampling. Data were collected online between November 2023 and February 2024 using the Personal Information Form, the Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for Adults – Short Form, the Prenatal Attachment Inventory, and the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire. Participants had a mean age of 25.52 ± 5.05 years (range: 19–43). Of the participants, 38.1% were primigravida, and 44.8% had an income equal to their expenses. Mean scores were 62.8 ± 13.0 for loneliness, 44.4 ± 8.96 for prenatal attachment, and 75.96 ± 18.3 for fear of childbirth. There was a moderate positive correlation between loneliness and fear of childbirth ( r = 0.45, p < 0.01), a moderate negative correlation between loneliness and prenatal attachment ( r = − 0.32, p < 0.05), and a moderate positive correlation between fear of childbirth and prenatal attachment ( r = 0.45, p < 0.01). Higher loneliness was associated with greater fear of childbirth and lower prenatal attachment. Fear of childbirth was also positively associated with prenatal attachment, indicating a complex pattern of interrelationships among these psychosocial variables during pregnancy.