Leifer M
Genet Psychol Monogr. 1977 Feb;95(1):55-96.
This study was an attempt to investigate some of the psychological changes that occur during first pregnancy and the early postpartum months. The major theoretical assumption was that pregnancy and early motherhood may be viewed as a series of developmental tasks, and that the way in which these are coped with will be predictive of adaptation to the maternal role. The aims of the study were (a) to identify the affective changes that occur in women during first pregnancy and to assess the extent to which pregnancy and motherhood are experienced as a period of psychological crisis; (b) to trace the development of maternal feeling; and (c) to assess the extent to which characteristics measured early in pregnancy are predictive of attitudes and adjustment to later stages of pregnancy and the degree to which these factors are themselves predictive of adaptation to parenthood. The sample consisted of 19 white, middle class primigravidas, with an age range of 22-33 years. Only women who had no previous gynecological or psychiatric difficulties and who were currently living with their husbands were accepted as Ss. Each woman was interviewed at each trimester of pregnancy, on the third postpartum day, and at 2 months postpartum. A follow up questionnaire was mailed at 7 months postpartum, The data obtained were derived from ratings of extensive interview schedules and a number of personality measures. Results indicated that although emotional upheaval and rapid change were characteristic of pregnancy, for some women a growing sense of adulthood, of fulfillment, and integration of a new maturational stage clearly co-existed with the emotional disequilibrium. Analysis of the interrelationship among characteristics shown in early pregnancy, adjustment to the pregnancy overall, and adaptation to parenthood indicated that the degree of personality integration achieved by early pregnancy was predictive of the extent to which psychological growth was experienced throughout pregnancy and early parenthood.
本研究旨在调查首次怀孕及产后早期出现的一些心理变化。主要的理论假设是，怀孕和初为人母可被视为一系列发展任务，应对这些任务的方式将预示对母亲角色的适应情况。本研究的目的是：(a) 确定首次怀孕女性的情感变化，并评估怀孕和为人母在多大程度上被视为心理危机期；(b) 追踪母性情感的发展；(c) 评估怀孕早期所测特征在多大程度上能预示对怀孕后期的态度和适应情况，以及这些因素本身在多大程度上能预示对为人父母角色的适应情况。样本包括19名年龄在22至33岁之间的白人中产阶级初产妇。只有那些既往无妇科或精神疾病问题且目前与丈夫同住的女性才被纳入研究对象。每位女性在怀孕的每个阶段、产后第三天及产后两个月均接受访谈。产后7个月邮寄一份随访问卷。所获数据来自广泛访谈提纲的评分及多项人格测量。结果表明，尽管情绪动荡和快速变化是怀孕的特征，但对一些女性来说，成年感、成就感以及新成熟阶段的整合感与情绪失衡明显并存。对怀孕早期所表现特征、对整个孕期的适应情况以及对为人父母角色的适应情况之间的相互关系分析表明，怀孕早期实现的人格整合程度预示着整个孕期和为人父母早期心理成长的体验程度。
