An Exploratory Study of Body Image Dimensionality

Adaptation Themes for Prenatal Care Delivered by Public Health Nurses

“…A concept known as pregnancy-postpartum adaptation is widely described in the nursing literature. Descriptions of maternal role identity (Mercer, 1981a;Mercer, Hackley, & Bostrom, 1983), responses to body image alterations during pregnancy (Burritt & Fawcett, 1980;Fawcett & Frye, 1980), developmental tasks of pregnancy (Clark & Affonso, 1979), taking in of maternal behaviors (Rubin, 1961a, 19751, coping behaviors during labor (Affonso, 1976), and challenges to postpartum recovery (Affonso & Arizmendi, 1986;Affonso, 1987;Mercer, 1981b;Affonso & Mayberry, 1988) profile behavioral indices of an adaptation process specific to childbearing women. Although the literature abounds with diverse theoretical perspectives, many of the viewpoints are difficult to measure and thus have little empirical support for their application in nursing practice.…”

“…Several nursing authors reported themes of search for meaning (Rubin, 1961b;Affonso, 1977), gaining mastery (Mercer et al, 1986;Humenick, 1981), and restoring self-esteem (Burritt & Fawcett, 1980;Fawcett & Frye, 1980;Mercer et al, 1986) in their work describing childbearing women's adaptation. Cognitive adaptation themes also were described in studies of women experiencing perinatal complications (Affleck, Tennen, & Gershman, 1985;Tennen, Affleck, & Gershman, 1986).…”

Body image and appearance management among older married dyads: factors influencing body image in the aging process

“…Cash, & Brown, 1990). The perceptual component refers to the direct mental representation of the physical appearance of the body and is measured by observational methods and projective techniques (Fawcett & Frye, 1980). The attitudinal component delineates a broad spectrum of feelings, attitudes, and emotional reactions toward the body and physical appearance and is measured by interviews and attitude scales (Fawcett & Frye, 1980).…”