Developmental aspects of pregnancy: Correlates of self-satisfaction.

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to explore and describe the relationships among four concepts within a proposed nursing theory. The research questions which directed the research focus on the relationships among the concepts self-satisfaction, affirmatory communication, pregnancy timing synchrony and physical symptoms in pregnancy; and the combination of variables that best explain self-satisfaction experienced among pregnant women. A descriptive-correlational design was used to address the research questions. Purposive sampling was used to obtain a sample of 210 women who attended prenatal education classes in a Southwestern urban area. The instruments used to measure self-satisfaction in this research were: Index of Well-Being, Self-Esteem Scale," Myself as Mother-SR. Affirmatory communication was measured by the Affirmatory Communication in Pregnancy Instrument and the Personal Resources Questionnaire. Pregnancy timing synchrony was measured by the Pregnancy Timing Instrument. Physical symptomotology was measured by the Physical Symptoms Checklist-SE. Acceptable levels of reliability and validity were obtained for the instruments. The relationships were explored using correlational analysis, canonical correlation, multiple regression, and residual analysis. Positive correlations were found between affirmatory communication (measured with two variables), pregnancy timing synchrony and self-satisfaction. Negative relationships were identified between physical symptoms and self-satisfaction. The canonical correlation between the combined self-satisfaction measures and the combined pregnancy-related experiences measures yielded an Rc of.71 (Rc2 =.50). The largest predictors of self-satisfaction were affirmatory communication and pregnancy timing. Similar, but not parallel results were found when each measure of self-satisfaction was individually utilized as a criterion measure in multiple regression equations. The results indicate that childbearing experiences can be assessed from a life-span developmental perspective which includes an emphasis on developmentally relevant psychological and physical aspects of the pregnancy experience. Although in its infancy, the mid-level theory used to guide this research demonstrates relevance for gaining an understanding about factors that enhance self-satisfaction during pregnancy.