Graduation Year
2017
Document Type
Campus Only Senior Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
Psychology
Reader 1
Jennifer Ma
Reader 2
Judith LeMaster
Terms of Use & License Information
Rights Information
© 2016 Jenny S. Han
Abstract
Self-determination Theory postulates that there are innate psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness, and that satisfaction of these needs fosters the development of autonomous motivation. Research suggests that autonomous forms of motivation are important for behavior change and maintenance. With increasing research on Self-determination Theory and its possible applications, there is a demand for research that develops and tests behavioral interventions. This study seeks to apply Self-determination Theory to a prenatal care intervention for low-income pregnant women in the Los Angeles area.
The Self-determination Theory based and the non-Self-determination Theory based prenatal care interventions will be compared. Perceived autonomy, competence, relatedness, and autonomous motivation will be measured as well as health care behaviors (healthy behavior habits, prenatal care return rates, and adherence to doctor’s regimen). Perceived autonomy competence, relatedness, autonomous motivation, and healthy behavior will be measured before and after the intervention. Return rate and adherence to doctor’s regimen will be measured post-intervention. The Self-determination Theory based intervention group is expected to report higher levels of autonomous motivation, perceived autonomy, competence, relatedness, and healthy behavior, higher return rates, and better adherence to doctor’s orders than the control group. The findings may help shape prenatal care interventions for low-income pregnant women resulting in healthier pregnancies and reduced risk factors for infant disease and mortality.
Recommended Citation
Han, Jenny, "A Self-determination Theory Based Prenatal Care Intervention for Low-income Pregnant Women" (2017). Scripps Senior Theses. 954.
https://scholarship.claremont.edu/scripps_theses/954
This thesis is restricted to the Claremont Colleges current faculty, students, and staff.
