Document Type

Thesis - University Access Only

Award Date

1997

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Graduate Nursing

Abstract

Growing numbers of women remain employed during their pregnancies. This trend indicates a potential for increase in complaints of fatigue, anxiety, and depression among employed pregnant women due to the added demands on their time and energy. The activity level performed on a daily basis by these women may have an effect on these variables. Little analysis has been done concerning these variables in this population. In order to better understand these variables that occur in employed pregnant women, this study examined the self-reported levels of fatigue, activity levels including employment patterns, anxiety, and depression from a longitudinal data set. The sample (n= 85) was comprised of employed pregnant women in any stage of pregnancy. The data for this study was collected and analyzed as a secondary analysis of the original longitudinal study conducted by Dianna Spies Sorenson, RN, PhD., & Lois Tschetter, RN, MS. This study was limited to the investigation of the variables in the antepartum period. Instruments selected for this study were the Profile of Mood States, a two-part revised Chronic Fatigue Index, and a two-day Activity/Sleep/Rest Diary. Descriptive correlational analysis of the data revealed statistically significant (p 􀅋 .05) relationships as follows: The more hours employed per day, the more an individual actively uses coping strategies. Fatigue was found to be associated with some activity levels of employed pregnant women. The more chronic fatigue interferes with functioning, the more likely an individual takes a nap and the less likely to she will perform high intensity activity on her day off work. The more coping with fatigue an individual is doing, the less likely to perform low intensity activity on a working day. The more an individual uses active coping to address fatigue, the more she will perform moderate intensity activity on a working day. Fatigue was found to be associated with depression and anxiety. The more chronic fatigue interferes with functioning, the more anxious and depressed mood an individual experiences. The more depressed mood an individual experiences, the more this individual uses active coping strategies. The more fatigue symptoms experienced, the more anxiety and depression experienced. It was also found that the more night shifts worked, the more feelings of anxiety and depression an individual experiences.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Pregnant women -- Employment
Pregnancy -- Physiological aspects
Pregnancy -- Psychological aspects
Fatigue

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

109

Publisher

South Dakota State University

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