A Study of the Relationship between the Intention of Pregnancy and the Child-Rearing Attitudes of Mothers with Infants

Sim, Jung Ha

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the correlation between the intention of pregnancy and the child rearing attitudes of mothers with infants. The data was collected from 138 mothers by means of an interview and questionnaire in a period from April 1 to April 30, 1997, when they came to have their infants vaccinated at one hospital and one health care center. The collected data was analyzed by means of the SPSS Program using percentage, means and standard deviation in each area and the ANOVA and Pearson correlation Coefficient. The results of this study were as follows : 1. It showed that the mother's degree of intention of pregnancy was 3.90(+/-1.19) among the possible score of 0~5 and the score of child rearing attitudes was 70.1 among the possible score of 20~100. The mean score of the items was 3.50(+/-.36) among the possible score of 0~5. 2. There was a significant relation between the intention of pregnancy and child rearing attitudes. It was mildly positive but was significant(r=.21, p<0.05). 3. There was a significant relation between the period from marriage to the time of pregnancy and the intention of pregnancy(F=.57, p<0.05). Also, it was found out that the group of mothers who became pregnant later than 12 months after marriage wanted after pregnancy more than the group of women who were pregnant within 12 months after marriage(F=11.30, p<0.01). 4. There was a significant relation between the period from marriage to the time of pregnancy and child rearing attitudes(F=4.14, p<0.05). It showed that the child rearing attitudes of the group of women who became pregnant later than 12 months after marriage was positive(F=11.42, p<0.01). Also, in case tat the both the husband and wife decided on the pregnancy, the child rearing attitudes were more positive(F=7.15, p<0.05). In conclusion, when the intention of pregnancy was stronger, the subjects' child rearing attitudes were more positive. Also when both the husband and wife decided on the pregnancy, the attitudes were more positive. So it seems that both husband and wife should discuss and agree upon pregnancy, having a sufficient period during which both the spouses prepare for the intention of pregnancy. Additionally, it is suggested that when the husband and wife are doing family planning, it would be beneficial to use a program of 'Woman's Intention on Pregnancy' during this process.