J Nurs Acad Soc.  1993 Dec;23(4):511-527.

Factors Contributing to Perceived Support in Pregnant Women

• Kim JA
• Lee ML

Abstract

Pregnant women need to be supported by their husbands and other family members. But little is known about the factors that contribute to perceived support in pregnant women. So this study is designed to identify the factors contributing to perceived support in pregnant women. The subjects for this study were 19 women who had had vaginal deliveries and 11 who had had cesarean sections in one hospital affiliated with a university. Data were collected during July and August 1992 through interview which lasted 20~30 minutes and used open ended questions. Each woman was interviewed once about their pregnancy experience. The data were analyzed by Van Kaam's phenom-enological analysis method and categorized according to similarity of content. Results of this study are as follows. 1) Mothers felt physically supported by having help with their activities from their husbands or other family members. Psychological stress was relieved by not having to worry about and/or giving a birth to a baby boy; getting special attention; and hearing encouraging words. 2) Mothers felt not supported when indifference was shown by her husband and/or relatives; when forced to do an unusual household activities; or on hearing words stressing her responsibilities. Suggestion for further study are as follows. It is necessary to see if or not the contents of an educational program would increase the perceived support of pregnant women. This could be done by carrying out an experimental research project.

MeSH Terms

Cesarean Section
Family Characteristics
Female
Hearing
Humans
Male
Mothers
Parturition
Pregnancy
Pregnant Women*
Spouses
Stress, Psychological