THE HOSPITALIZED PRETERM LABOR PATIENT: PERCEPTIONS OF STRESSORS, SUPPORTS, AND OTHER PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS (COPING STYLES).
Contributors: Rush University, College Of Nursing.
Published: 1995
Number of pages: 171
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Health Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology.; Psychology, Physiological.
Description: A descriptive design was used to explore the psychological aspects of the antepartal hospitalization experience for preterm labor patients. Patient's perceptions of stressors and supports during hospitalization were assessed. A convenience sample of 30 multigravida women were used for the study sample.

Patients hospitalized a minimum of four days or more participated in a semi-structured interview to assess their perceptions. A modified Sarason Life Experience Survey (LES) and a Jalowiec Coping Scale (JCS), was administered following the interviews. Quantitative methods for analysis of the demographic, LES, and JCS data were done using descriptive statistics. Qualitative analysis of the audiotaped interviews were performed using the naturalistic paradigm.

These hospitalized women reported people, events and issues as stressors. Critical areas identified were: environmental confinement, difficulty in interpersonal communications, loss of control, isolation and loss of the parental role.

The primary means of support reported by these hospitalized women were people. Interactions and relationships that these women had with their immediate family and friends provided this support. Care given by the nurses and doctors in stabilizing the patient's medical condition and maintaining the pregnancy was critical.

A greater number of negative life events than positive were identified in these women. Negative life events with the greatest impact were: change in sleep habits, recreation, other events, and social activities.

Coping styles utilized and found most effective were Supportant, Optimistic, and Confrontive. Coping styles used less and found least effective were Fatalistic, Evasive, and Emotive.

The relationships between stressful life events and coping styles used during hospitalization demonstrated that not all subjects utilized multiple support systems along with problem solving behaviors to cope with the stress of hospitalization. Younger women reported more stressful life events and used different coping styles than the older women. Demographic variables of race, religion, education, and occupation also affected the use and effectiveness of coping styles.

Results of this study support the idea that high risk multigravida women experience a variety of stressors and supports during antepartal hospitalization. The number of stressful life events varies along with the individual adaptive response to these stressors.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 56-05, Section: B, page: 2557.

Thesis (D.N.SC.)--RUSH UNIVERSITY, COLLEGE OF NURSING, 1995.

School code: 0591.