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    Perceived Control and Maternal Satisfaction with the Childbirth Experience

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    Stevens_ku_0099D_11578_DATA_1.pdf (521.9Kb)
    Issue Date
    2011-08-31
    Author
    Stevens, Natalie R.
    Publisher
    University of Kansas
    Format
    147 pages
    Type
    Dissertation
    Degree Level
    Ph.D.
    Discipline
    Psychology
    Rights
    This item is protected by copyright and unless otherwise specified the copyright of this thesis/dissertation is held by the author.
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    Abstract
    The quality of the childbirth experience, particularly whether the mother perceives a sense of control over the birth environment, can significantly impact postpartum adjustment. Although maternal "satisfaction" is a common outcome variable in childbirth research, studies have not adequately distinguished satisfaction from affective reactions to birth. Furthermore, adequate measures of perceived control and maternal satisfaction are lacking. Drawing from a person-environment fit theory of satisfaction, the current study examined the validity of two new instruments to assess perceived control over the childbirth environment (PCCh) and satisfaction with the childbirth experience (SWCh). Items constructed from existing measures and qualitative data were administered to 187 women who had given birth to a healthy infant in the last four months. Exploratory factor analysis supported single-factor structures for the PCCh and the SWCh, with high internal consistency reliability for both instruments (alpha .90). The PCCh was significantly correlated with childbirth self-efficacy, satisfaction, and external control. The SWCh was only moderately correlated with positive and negative affect, childbirth self-efficacy, and external control. Low scores on both instruments were significantly associated with postpartum stress symptoms. Preliminary analyses revealed that perceived control accounted for more variance in childbirth satisfaction than obstetric variables such as labor pain, duration of labor, obstetric complications, and having an unplanned cesarean section. Results of these analyses are presented with recommendations for future development and clinical use of the PCCh and SWCh.
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/1808/8201
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    • Dissertations [3959]
    • Psychology Dissertations and Theses [310]

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    Contact KU ScholarWorks
    785-864-8983
    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    785-864-8983

    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    Image Credits
     

     

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