PATTERNS OF FEMININE AND SELF CONCEPT SCORES OF PREGNANT WOMEN FROM THE THIRD TRIMESTER TO SIX WEEKS POSTPARTUM (GENDER, SEX ROLE IDENTITY).
Contributors: Wayne State University.
Published: 1984
Number of pages: 176
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: The purpose of this study was to examine relationships among patterns of feminine attributes, self concept, perceived life satisfaction, and comfort in the mothering role for women during the developmental period of late pregnancy and the early postpartum period.

Manifestations of change in a person's pattern are particularly evident during developmental phases. However, there is little empirical evidence to verify the exact nature of these developmental tasks. How the individual's view of self related to gender role behaviors may change over a developmental stage has also not been systematically investigated.

The conceptual framework for this study is derived from theories of socialization, gender role identity, life span development, and self concept reformulated within a nursing framework. Rogers' conceptual framework (Rogers, 1970, 1980) and that of the Nurse Theorists Group of the Third and Fourth Conference on Nursing Diagnosis (Kim & Moritz, 1982) provide the basis for this reformulation.

A convenience sample of 52 primiparous and 21 multiparous women attending childbirth preparation classes was selected. The Bem Sex Role Inventory, Tennessee Self Concept Scale and the Cantrill Life Satisfaction question were completed by participants during the third trimester, at 7-10 days postpartum, and 5-6 weeks postpartum. A factor scale of the Maternal Attitude Scale was completed at 5-6 weeks postpartum.

High feminine and low feminine groups showed a significant difference in quadratic trend over time on feminine scores. The difference approached significance for self concept scores. Self concept and feminine scores were significantly correlated at all three times. Correlations were as high as that between self concept and masculine scores. Life satisfaction and self concept scores were significantly correlated at all three times. Correlational patterns among variable differed when the sample was divided into gender role identity groups. Implications for nursing and the need for further research are discussed.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 45-03, Section: B, page: 0827.

Thesis (PH.D.)--WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY, 1984.

School code: 0254.