Abstract

This multivariate study investigated the effects of selected psychosocial and demographic variables on the self-esteem and emotional states of pregnant women. Previous studies done pertaining to this subject have tended to be restricted to specific social classes, racial groups, age groups or marital status. The present study expanded previous research by looking at a broader population. Pregnant women in their third trimester (~ = 201) were asked to complete a demographic questionnaire, a Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and a Multiple Affect Adjective Check List. Pearson coefficients indicated that self-esteem scores were positively correlated with positive affect and negatively correlated with anxiety, depression, hostility, and dysphoria. Age, income, work satisfaction, having planned the pregnancy, and emotional support from mate and friends were all positively correlated with the pregnant woman's self-esteem and positive affect and negatively correlated with various negative emotional states. Emotional support from parents was positively correlated with self-esteem and negatively correlated with depression. Marital status appeared to be important only to the older women (23-39 years of age) with married pregnant women having less depression and less dysphoria than the unmarried pregnant women. Stepwise multiple regression results indicated that the strongest predictors for self-esteem were support of friends, number of years of education, and support of the father. Whether or not the pregnancy was planned, support of the father, and race were the strongest predictors for positive affect. Finally, the support of the father and work satisfaction were the most significant predictors for dysphoria. Results confirm the importance of all women, regardless of age, race, and marital status, having as much emotional support and available resources as possible to mitigate the stressors of pregnancy. Practical applications of these findings for medical and counseling settings were discussed.

Notes

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Graduation Date

1988

Semester

Summer

Advisor

Fisher, Randy

Degree

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Psychology

Format

PDF

Pages

65 p.

Language

English

Rights

Public Domain

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Masters Thesis (Open Access)

Identifier

DP0025777

Subjects

Arts and Sciences -- Dissertations, Academic; Dissertations, Academic -- Arts and Sciences

Accessibility Status

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