DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/T3JD-2X48
Defense Date
2010
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Counseling Psychology
First Advisor
Marilyn Stern
Abstract
The present study examined the relationships of depression, social support, and socio-demographic factors on health behaviors of mothers with preterm infants hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). In addition, the study also assessed the moderation effect of social support on the relationship between depression and health behaviors. Eighty-nine mothers with hospitalized infants in the central Richmond area participated in the study. Analyses found that mother’s education level and her marital status to be significantly associated with her health behaviors. Mothers with a higher level of education and those who were married, were less likely to smoke and more likely to incorporate high fiber foods in their diet. In addition, the more support a mother perceived from family and friends, the less likely she was to smoke cigarettes. Neither depression nor social support from the father was significantly related to health behaviors. This study did not find social support to be a moderator between depression and health behaviors. However, the study found direct effects of socio-demographic factors and certain types of support on health behaviors. Assessing a mother’s personal and interpersonal factors will inform clinicians of possible areas of interventions for mothers during the postpartum period.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
December 2010