Publication Date

1996

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Lox, Curt

Degree Name

M.S. Ed. (Master of Education)

Legacy Department

Department of Physical Education

LCSH

Pregnancy--Psychological aspects; Exercise for pregnant women; Pregnancy--Psychological aspects

Abstract

Research has suggested that exercise can be useful in reducing anxiety levels and improving body image. For this reason, one can speculate as to the effect exercise might have on psychological changes accompanying pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of prenatal exercise and non-exercise classes on pregnancy-induced anxiety and body esteem changes during pregnancy. Subjects included 35 multiparas and primiparas with a mean age of 30.29 years, all in the second or third trimester of pregnancy. It was hypothesized that, although both prenatal exercise classes and childbirth education classes offer education about pregnancy and social support from peers and health professionals, the variable of exercise would result in greater reduction in pregnancy-induced anxiety and increases in body esteem when compared with nonexercise childbirth education classes. Measures included administration of the Pregnancy Anxiety Scale (PAS), and Body Esteem Scale (BES) on the first and last days of a 6-week Prenatal Aquatic Exercise program and a 4 week Childbirth Education (non-exercise) program Results indicated non-significant main effects (alpha <0.05) and no interaction for time and group in either pregnancy-induced anxiety and body esteem The PAS was determined to have a poor degree of internal consistency as a prospective measure. The BES demonstrated a high degree of internal consistency. Findings suggest the need for further investigation of the reliability of the PAS as a prospective scale, and clarification of exercise, anxiety, and body image relationships in pregnant women.

Comments

Includes bibliographical references (pages [59]-62)

Extent

71 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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