The significance of women's pregnancy-related locus of control beliefs for adherence to recommended prenatal health regimens and pregnancy outcomes

Abstract

This study examined the relationships among women's pregnancy-related health beliefs, compliance with prenatal health guidelines, and perinatal outcomes. The principal measures in this study were the Pregnancy Belief Scales which explore three factors: (1) pregnant women's degree of perceived control or internality wit h respect to their pregnancy and birth outcomes, (2) the extent to which pregnant women believe that ‘chance’ or (3) ‘powerful others’ affects their pregnancy and birth outcomes. Sixty-two (62) pregnant African-American and Caucasian lower- and middleclass women participated in this study. Measures of compliance with recommended prenatal health guidelines, and pregnancy and perinatal outcomes were also obtained. Results indicated that women's perceptions of their control of their pregnancy and perinatal outcomes was related to compliance with prenatal health regimens during pregnancy, which in turn, was related to actual pregnancy and birth outcomes. The implications of these findings for health communication are discussed, with suggestions for physician communication of health information which is sensitive to pregnant patients' underlying health beliefs