The Mother-Infant Bonding Scale: Factor Structure and Psychosocial Correlates of Parental Bonding Disorders in Japan

Bonding disorders towards their child has been recognized as a serious problem, which might lead to give adverse effects on the relationship with child or maltreatment towards their child. The aim of this study was to identify the factor structure of the Mother-Infant Bonding Scale (MIBS) as well as the determinants of parental bonding disorders in Japan. In this cross-sectional observational study, the MIBS and other psychosocial questionnaires were distributed to 396 fathers and 733 mothers of children aged between 0 and 10, at 20 clinics of Kumamoto prefecture, in Japan. An exploratory factor analysis of the MIBS revealed a two-factor structure: lack of affection (LA) and anger and rejection (AR). A confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated its cross-validity, with no statistical differences between fathers and mothers. A multi-group analysis using structural equation modelling demonstrated that LA and AR were predicted by parental dysphoric mood while only AR was predicted by parental anger. To be concluded, the current study suggests that the MIBS has two subscales that can be predicted by intrapersonal and interpersonal variables, and may provide information applicable to the design of therapeutic or preventive approaches to parents with bonding disorders.