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The effects of a supportive intervention during labor and delivery on the postpartum psychological adaptation of first-time mothers

Hoffman, Yonit

Abstract Details

1992, Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, Psychology.
The present study examines the impact of a supportive intervention during labor and delivery on the psychological adaptation of new mothers. Prior studies documented that the presence of a supportive female labor companion – a “doula” – during labor and delivery resulted in significant decreases in labor length, cesarean deliveries, and perinatal complications. The present study, which is part of a larger, ongoing project designed to refine and extend prior research, addresses prior design limitations by including both lower and middle SES subjects and their labor partners and by assessing psychosocial variables within a prospective, longitudinal framework. The effects of doula support on three areas of maternal postpartum psychological adjustment were examined: depressed mood, self-evaluation regarding maternal role, and marital/relationship satisfaction. It was hypothesized that the doula intervention would be most beneficial to those mothers who were most lacking in two resources which are salient in the transition to motherhood and which reflect key functions of the doula; perceived social support and positive relationship with mother. Subjects included 188 women (127 middle SES, 61 low SES) who were recruit ed during their third trimester of pregnancy, administered prenatal questionnaires, and then randomly assigned to experimental or control group status. Control group subjects received routine obstetric care while subjects in the experimental group had the additional support of a doula who remained with them throughout labor and delivery. Outcome measures were assessed at 8-10 weeks postpartum. Contrary to prediction, the doula intervention did not have significant main effects on postpartum psychological adaptation independent of level of prenatal resources. However, as predicted, interactions between experimental group status and prenatal resources contributed significantly to the prediction of postpartum depressed mood and self-evaluations (though not relationship satisfaction). Subjects’ perceived social support and the quality of their relationships with their own mothers moderated the impact of the doula intervention – but had differential roles with regard to their impact on postpartum mood or self-evaluations. SES differences were also detected. The empirical and clinical implications of these results are discussed.
Dennis Drotar (Advisor)
165 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Hoffman, Y. (1992). The effects of a supportive intervention during labor and delivery on the postpartum psychological adaptation of first-time mothers [Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1056569728

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Hoffman, Yonit. The effects of a supportive intervention during labor and delivery on the postpartum psychological adaptation of first-time mothers. 1992. Case Western Reserve University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1056569728.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Hoffman, Yonit. "The effects of a supportive intervention during labor and delivery on the postpartum psychological adaptation of first-time mothers." Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University, 1992. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1056569728

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)