WOMEN'S DEPENDENCE AND INDEPENDENCE DURING THE LATE ANTEPARTUM TO POSTPARTUM PERIOD.
Contributors: University of Texas at Austin.
Published: 1987
Number of pages: 230
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Women's Studies.; Psychology, General.
Description: The purpose of this study was to describe and explain the phenomena of dependence and independence in women during the late antepartum through the sixth week postpartum. Patterns of dependence and independence, characteristics of women demonstrating specific patterns, and determinant variables of dependence and independence served as the major research questions/hypotheses.

While Rubin's qualitative research has served as the basis for nursing descriptions of dependence and independence in pregnant and postpartum women, little quantitative research has been done of these phenomena. A model for dependence and independence as separate concepts was used as the conceptual framework for the study. While longitudinal studies (Leifer; Shereshefsky and Yarrow; and Rubin) into the psychology of pregnancy and postpartum adaptation have shown evidence of women's dependence and independence these concepts have not served as the primary focus of study.

This study was a longitudinal, repeated measures design. The sample consists of 83 primiparous women with an uncomplicated pregnancies. Data collection occurred at the seventh or eight month of pregnancy, and the third and sixth weeks postpartum. The study variables were measured with the following instrument: Dependence - Independence Scale (Derderian and Clough); Pregnancy or Postpartum questionnaire (age, socio-economic status, physical status, employment status); Inventory of Socially Supportive Behavior (Barrera); Arizona Social Support Interview Schedule (Barrera); and Beck Depression Inventory.

The findings supported the model depicting dependence and independence as separate concepts. Correlations between dependence and independence at each period of data collection were slightly positive (T$\sb1$ = +33; T$\sb2$ = +.26; T$\sb3$ = +.19). Mean scores of dependence and independence were highest at the third week postpartum and lowest at the sixth week postpartum. Very low correlations were found between depression and dependence or independence. There were no significant differences in dependence scores between women reporting physical problems or delivery by ceserean section and women with no physical problems or vaginal deliveries. Social support was found to be highest at the third week postpartum and lowest at the seventh or eighth month of pregnancy. Clusters analysis resulted in five groups of women with distinct patterns of dependence and independence over the data collection periods. Groups were examined for distinguishing characteristics.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 49-06, Section: B, page: 2130.

Thesis (PH.D.)--THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN, 1987.

School code: 0227.