Rita Gomez^*& Isabel Leal

Instituto Superior de Psicologia Aplicada, Lisboa

RESUMO: Neste estudo apresentam-se os resultados da adaptação para a população portuguesa das formas materna e paterna da Antenatal Emotional Attachment Scale (AEAS; J.T. Condon, 1993). As duas formas portuguesas da AEAS (ou Escala de Vinculação Pré-Natal) apresentam um bom nível de consistência interna e de estabilidade teste-reteste. Foi estudada também a associação das notas da vinculação pré-natal com a idade, tempo de gestação, experiência parental, ajustamento conjugal, depressão materna e envolvimento paterno no pós-parto. Os resultados não são contra-intuitivos e vão ao encontro do que tem sido reportado na literatura. No geral, pode concluir-se que as duas formas portuguesas da AEAS são medidas fidedignas e válidas para avaliar a vinculação pré-natal. Os resultados com a versão portuguesa, contudo, não apoiam o modelo multi-dimensional apresentado por Condon (1993) e sugerem que a vinculação pré-natal tal como medida pela AEAS é unidimensional.

Palavras chave: Avaliação do envolvimento materno e paterno, Comportamento parental, Escala de Vinculação Pré-natal, Gravidez.

Parental attachment during pregnancy. Portuguese version of the antenatal emotional attachment scale for expectant parents

ABSTRACT: The maternal and the paternal forms of the Antenatal Emotional Attachment Scale (AEAS; J.T. Condon, 1993) were adapted for use with Portuguese expectant parents. Both Portuguese forms of the AEAS have a good level of internal consistenc y and test-retest stability. We also analysed the association of the scores in AEAS with time of gestation, age, parental experience, marital adjustment, maternal depression and paternal involvement after the birth. The results are not counter-intuitive and are in line with previous research. In general, the results indicate that the Portuguese forms of the AEAS are reliable and valid measures of prenatal attachment. However, this study does not support the multidimensional model presented by Condon and suggests, instead, that prenatal attachment as measured by the AEAS is unidimensional.

Key words: Antenatal Emotional Attachment Scale, Measurement of maternal and paternal involvement, Parental behavior, Pregnancy.

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Recebido em 03 de Março de 2007 / aceite em 10 de Setembro de 2007