|
pubmed:otherAbstract |
PIP: During 1982-85, a psychological evaluation was carried out involving 30 women aged 20-37 hospitalized with heart defects while pregnant (Group Krl), 40 women aged 23-39 with the threat of delayed and premature birth and 2 previous abortions (Group Kr2), and 40 women aged 20-34 with normal pregnancy (Group Ko). Matusewicz's Moral Values Choice Test, parts of Zawadzki's Personality Inventory to Assess life goals, and the Incomplete Sentences Test were administered by a psychologist. The role of motherhood in a hierarchy of preferred values, the model of "the ideal woman," and adoption and planning of the pregnancy were measured. Among traits of the ideal woman, 55% in Group Krl, 33.7% in Group Kr2, and 36.2% in Group Ko included having children; whereas 16.7, 40, and 38.7% in the respective groups indicated the ability to carry out duties. These differences were statistically significant. The personality test rankings in Groups Krl and Kr2 were: being loved, health, and to have someone to love. In Group Ko health rated last. 90% in Group Krl, 80% in Group Kr2, and 87.5% in Group Ko equated loving someone with having children. 76.7, 55, and 32.5% in the respective groups did not want another pregnancy, if the present one was concluded successfully. Adoption was favored in case of sterility by 60, 42.5, and 75% in Groups Krl, Kr2, and Ko (p .02), respectively. 60, 70, and 62.5% in the respective groups vowed to carry the pregnancy to term despite physician's warning about health risks. 23.3, 2.5, and 20% in the respective groups deemed health risks a sufficient reason for termination of pregnancy. Motherhood and family life ranked high among life goals in this sample. High risk pregnant women associated successful outcome of pregnancy with concern about health and the observance of medical advice, and they clearly had planned their pregnancies. Adoption as a solution to childlessness was accepted only by those physiologically pregnant and those with cardiac disease.
|
