Interpersonal constructs of pregnant married women during pregnancy and postpartum period as perceptions of family members

Interpersonal constructs and their dynamics in pregnant women during the perinatal period were investigated using a symbol figure placement technique and a semantic differential test. 16 pregnant women represented their interpersonal perceptions of family members (husband, mother, father, mother-in-law, father-in-law, and child) at four different times (34 weeks of pregnancy, 37 weeks of pregnancy, and 3 days and 30 days after delivery). Two tests indicated positive perceptions of the pregnant women (cohesion, confidence, and dependence) of family members changed over the perinatal period and their interpersonal perceptions of self-husband and self-child were the most positive next to self-mother. Based upon these findings, the support system for pregnant women was discussed.