title: Maternal confidence in coping with labor. A self-efficacy concept.
abstract: The clinical study of labor pain suggests that a woman's confidence in her ability to cope with labor contributes significantly to her perception of pain during labor. Self-efficacy theory is examined as a framework for evaluating women's confidence in their ability to cope with labor. The major propositions of self-efficacy theory are described and related to the experience of women approaching labor. The implications for nursing practice are presented, and directions for the study of maternal confidence are proposed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Span Process, College of Nursing, Ohio State University, Columbus 43210-1289.
authors.forename: N K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Lowe
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D015399:Nursing Research / Q000592:standards; D009773:Obstetric Nursing / Q000379:methods; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011247:Pregnancy; D011582:Psychological Theory; D012649:Self Concept