Fetal Health Locus Of Control Research Articles

Do demographic and obstetric characteristics affect fetal health locus of control among high-risk pregnancies? A Turkish sample

Objectives Fetal health locus of control has been indicated to effect how mothers approach their health beliefs and health-related decisions. The purpose of this study was to determine the fetal health locus of control (FHLC) level in high-risk pregnancies and to evaluate the factors affecting FHLC in high-risk pregnancies. Materials and methods The descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with highrisk pregnant women. A total of 221 participants were included. Results and Discussion It was shown that The Internality Locus of Control was low and The Chance-Based Locus of Control was high in high-risk pregnant women. The current age of women and the age of their first pregnancy had a positively relationship with Powerful Others Locus of Control (FHLC-P). Although FHLC scores of multigravidas were higher than primiparous, no significant difference was found. Besides, there was a significantly higher FHLC-C score in women who did not change their exercise habits during pregnancy (p=0.008). Although the FHLC-I score was higher in women, who made changes in nutrition habits, it was determined that it was not significant. Conclusion The results of fetal health locus of control in high-risk pregnancies will lead to women who have high-risk pregnancies taking responsibility for adapting to the treatment process, taking into account the controls and making lifestyle changes, rather than leaving the situation to fate. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 23 No. 02 April’24 Page : 438-446

The Relationship Between Perception of Pregnancy with Psychological Well-Being and Fetal Health Locus of Control

Amaç: Bu araştırma gebelik algısının psikolojik iyi oluş ve fetal sağlık kontrol odağı ile ilişkisini değerlendirmek amacıyla yapılmıştır.
 Yöntem: Tanımlayıcı ve ilişki arayıcı nitelikteki bu araştırmanın örneklemini Türkiye’nin doğusundaki bir kamu hastanesinin gebe polikliniklerine başvuran 461 gebe oluşturmuştur. Veriler; Gebe Tanıtım Formu, Gebelerin Kendilerini Algılama Ölçeği (GKAÖ), Psikolojik İyi Oluş Ölçeği (PİOÖ) ve Anne Karnındaki Bebek Sağlık Denetim Odağı (AKBSDO) Ölçeği ile elde edilmiştir. İstatistiksel değerlendirmede; sayı, yüzde, ortalama, standart sapma ve pearson korelasyon analizi kullanılmıştır.
 Bulgular: GKAÖ Gebeliğe Ait Annelik Algısı alt boyutu ile PİOÖ arasında pozitif yönde zayıf ilişki olduğu (r= 0.317, p= 0.000) ve GKAÖ Gebeliğe Ait Beden Algısı alt boyutu ile PİOÖ arasında negatif yönde çok zayıf ilişki olduğu (r= -0.125, p= 0.007) belirlenmiştir. GKAÖ Gebeliğe Ait Annelik Algısı alt boyutu ile AKBSDO Ölçeği İçsel Sağlık Denetim Odağı ve Güçlü Diğerlerine Bağlı Denetim Odağı alt boyutları arasında pozitif yönde zayıf ilişki olduğu (r= 0.233, p= 0.000; r= 0.192, p= 0.000) bulunmuştur. Ayrıca GKAÖ Gebeliğe Ait Beden Algısı alt boyutu ile AKFSDO Ölçeği tüm alt boyutları arasında negatif yönde zayıf ilişki olduğu belirlenmiştir (r= -0.345, p= 0.000; r= -0.349, p= 0.000; r= -0.261, p= 0.000).
 Sonuç ve Öneriler: Gebelikte yüksek annelik algısının psikolojik iyi oluşu pozitif yönde, gebeliğe ait olumsuz beden algısının psikolojik iyi oluşu negatif yönde etkilediği saptanmıştır. Ayrıca içsel ve güçlü diğerlerine bağlı fetal denetim odağının annelik algısında olumlu etki yarattığı sonucuna varılmıştır. Antenatal dönemde, anne adaylarının gebelik algısı ve fetal sağlık kontrol odağının değerlendirilmesi önerilebilir.

Giving sleep position advice in pregnancy: Will we make women anxious?

BackgroundThere is now robust evidence that when women settle to sleep on their back in late pregnancy (>28 weeks) they are at increased risk of stillbirth. Therefore, there are several stillbirth prevention programs worldwide that have begun advising pregnant women to adopt a side position when settling to sleep in late pregnancy. However, some hold concerns that giving women information about sleep position and stillbirth risk may make them anxious.AimThis study aimed to determine what influences how ‘safe sleep’ messages are perceived by pregnant women and if there is anxiety associated with receiving this message.Materials and MethodsAn online survey of 537 Australian women (n = 97 were ‘currently pregnant’). The survey examined participant’s views regarding sleep position messages, type of information source as well as participant characteristics such as general anxiety and their fetal health locus of control (FHLC).ResultsOur findings suggest that the FHLC may influence how health messaging regarding sleep in pregnancy is perceived and acted upon. We have also shown a subset of pregnant women may feel anxiety associated with the sleep position in pregnancy message. This may not be related to history of anxiety, but rather to their higher ‘internal’ FHLC, ie those who reflect a greater sense of personal agency over fetal health.ConclusionsOur findings suggest most women will perceive information about settling into sleep position as informative rather than anxiety provoking. Therefore, maternity care providers should not be overly concerned about provoking anxiety when providing this information.

Understanding Relationships Between Fetal Health Locus of Control (FHLC) and Maternal Marijuana Use During Pregnancy.

The objective of this study was to examine relationships between maternal perceptions of Fetal Health Locus of Control (FHLC) and perceived risk/benefit related to prenatal marijuana use with maternal marijuana use behaviors during pregnancy. The sample included women seeking prenatal care at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (OSUWMC, Columbus OH) between 2010 and 2015, who participated in a follow-up study (2019-2020). Logistic regression models were run to estimate associations between maternal perceptions and prenatal marijuana use behaviors. Higher perceived benefit to mother (AOR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.08-2.17) and lower perceived risk to children (AOR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.45-0.78) were related to increased prenatal marijuana use, adjusted for confounders. In contrast, FHLC perceptions were not associated with maternal marijuana use; however, FHLC predicted women's perceptions of risk and benefit which in turn was associated with marijuana use during pregnancy. Understanding how maternal perceptions influence health-related risk behaviors during pregnancy is important because perceptions are feasible intervention targets.

The Effect of Religious Belief on the Attitudes of Pregnant's Toward the Fetal Health.

The purpose of this study is to identify the effect of religious beliefs on the attitudes of pregnant women toward the health of the fetus. Pregnancy, one of the important periods of life, is a special period in terms of affecting both the mother's and the baby's health. Health beliefs and attitudes are the factors that have effects on mother-baby death rates (mortality)-which is one of the most important criteria showing health level of societies. However, the literature has limited number of studies on this issue. Volunteer participants who applied to the Gynecology and Obstetrics Polyclinic were administered a questionnaire in order to identify the frequency of performing worship practices. Women's beliefs about their roles in determining their fetus's health were measured using Fetal Health Locus of Control (FHLC) scale. FHCL scale is composed of 3 sub-scales which include Internality Locus of Control (FHLC-I), Chance Locus of Control (FHLC-C), and Powerful Others Locus of Control (FHLC-P). Non-normally distributed scale scores were analyzed with Mann-Whitney U test for two independent groups and Kruskal-Wallis test for three independent groups. The scores obtained from all the sub-scales of the FHLC scale according to the praying groups were statistically significant (p = 0.008, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). The sub-scale scores were not statistically significant according to the tendency of giving alms (p = 0.269, p = 0.695, p = 0.079, respectively). The FHLC-I and FHLC-P scores did not indicate differences according to the tendency of going to pilgrimage (p = 0.914, p = 0.578), but FHLC-C scores were significantly higher in those who tended to go to pilgrimage (p = 0.004). There was a significant relationship between the tendency of performing prayer and going to pilgrimage and attitudes toward performing double-triple tests and oral glucose tolerance test (p = 0.002, p = 0.035, respectively). Religious beliefs were influential on the attitudes of pregnant women toward the health of the fetal. Gynecologists should consider patients' religious belief sensitivity while recommending them screening tests or planning their medication.

Does maternal and fetal health locus of control predict self-care behaviors among women with gestational diabetes?

INTRODUCTION:Gestational diabetes is the most common metabolic disorder in pregnancy, and lack of self-care is the most important reason for mortality in diabetic patients. Since the glycemic control is associated with physiological and psychological mechanisms, variables such as health locus of control can play a role in health behaviors of diabetic patients. Therefore, this study was aimed to predict self-care behaviors among women with gestational diabetes based on maternal health locus of control (MHLC) and fetal health locus of control (FHLC).METHODS:This study is a descriptive, predictive correlational study that it is conducted on over 400 women with gestational diabetes attending the health centers and clinic of hospitals affiliated to Mashhad University of Medical Sciences in 2015. Data were collected using individual questionnaire, self-care derived from the summary of diabetes self-care activities, MHLC, and FHLC scale. The data were analyzed using Spearman's correlation coefficient test, linear regressions model, and multiple regression in SPSS software version 16. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.RESULTS:Results of Spearman's correlation coefficient test showed a significant direct linear relationship between self-care and internal MHLC (P = 0.027) and internal dimensions (P < 0.0001) and powerful others (P = 0.012) of FHLC. According to linear regressions model, internal MHLC (P = 0.027), internal dimensions (P < 0.0001), and powerful others (P = 0.012) of FHLC are considered as predictor variables of self-care.CONCLUSION:Midwives should perform interventions to increase internal locus of control and encourage more responsibility among women with gestational diabetes to achieve better self-care.

Fetal health locus of control: Scale properties and applications in preconception health programs

Preconception health programs have resulted in improved health behaviors among participants and have shown promise in reducing adverse birth outcomes. However, the role of health beliefs in preconception health program outcomes has been overlooked but warrants attention due to reported positive associations between women’s views of control over fetal health and health behavior in pregnancy. Towards an ultimate aim of improving preconception health program reach and effectiveness, we examined properties of a fetal health locus of control (FHLC; Labs & Wurtele, 1986) measure in nulliparous, childbearing aged university women and men. Students (n=1467) completed an online survey that included the FHLC subscales maternal, powerful others’, and chance control over fetal health. Factor analyses and correlations with related scales supported the soundness of FHLC constructs in both women and men. All participants rated maternal control in fetal health nearly twice as highly as powerful others’ and chance. We therefore recommend that FHLC be integrated into preconception health program evaluation as personal agency in fetal health likely has an important role in women’s and men’s preconception health behavior and health behavior change.

Fetal health locus of control in a sample of pregnant Turkish women.

To examine the relationship between sociodemographic and pregnancy features and fetal health locus of control (FHLC) in a sample of pregnant Turkish women. The study was conducted with 256 pregnant women. Data were collected by demographic questionnaire and the FHLC Scale consisting of 3 components: 1) Internality Scale (FHLC-I), 2) Powerful Others Scale (FHLC-P), and 3) Chances Scale (FHLC-C). The age of marriage was found to have a positive relation with FHLC-I (r = 0.141) and a negative relation with FHLC-C (r = -0.145) (P < 0.05). The age of first pregnancy was found to have a positive relation with FHLC-I (r = 0.127). Those who have a low educational level (r = -0.258) and income (r = -0.149), who are unemployed (r = -2.839), whose number of pregnancies is high (r = 0.152), who get pregnant unplanned (r = 3.839), and who come to their first prenatal examination late (r = -0.142) have a significantly high score of FHLC-C (P <0.05). It may be helpful for better outcomes of prenatal care to identify pregnant women who believe that their behavior has little effect on the health of their fetus and that it is controlled by chance.

Ethnicity, Smoking Status, and Preterm Birth as Predictors of Maternal Locus of Control

A woman's psychological health can affect prenatal behaviors. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between maternal beliefs, prenatal behaviors, and preterm birth (PTB) in a multiethnic population. This was a planned secondary analysis of a cross-sectional trial of postpartum women with singleton gestation. In all, 210 participants were given the Fetal Health Locus of Control (FHLC) scale to measure three primary maternal beliefs that influenced their prenatal behaviors (Internal Control, Chance, Powerful Others). Women who experienced preterm delivery and those who smoked during pregnancy scored the Chance category significantly higher than those who delivered term infants (p = .05; p = .004, respectively). This suggests those who smoked during pregnancy had a greater degree of belief that Chance influenced their infant's health status. Cultural differences also emerged specific to the impact of health care providers on PTB; with Hispanic women scoring Powerful Others the highest among the groups (p = .02). Nurses can plan a critical role in identifying at-risk women (smoking, strong Chance beliefs) while providing a clear message that taking action and modifying high-risk behaviors can reduce risk for adverse pregnancy outcome.

Factors Associated with Health Information-Seeking in Low-Income Pregnant Women

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships of health literacy, self-efficacy, and fetal health locus of control to health information-seeking in low-income pregnant women and the contribution from each factor alone or in combination to the variance in health information-seeking. This was a cross-sectional study of 143 English-speaking pregnant women who were recruited from a prenatal clinic and were 18 years of age or older in 2007–2008. Health literacy, self-efficacy, fetal health locus of control, and health information-seeking were measured using the Short Form of the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults, the Health Information Competence Scale, the Fetal Health Locus of Control Scale, and the Pregnancy Health Information-Seeking Scale. Health literacy was not significantly correlated with health information-seeking. Self-efficacy (r = .33) and internal fetal health locus of control (r = .27) demonstrated significant correlations with health information-seeking, and together they accounted for 15% of the variance in health information-seeking. After controlling for covariates, self-efficacy (p = .0006) and internal fetal health locus of control (p = .03) remained significantly associated with health information-seeking. In conclusion, pregnant women's characteristics, such as self-efficacy and internal fetal health locus of control belief, are associated with their health information-seeking during pregnancy.

Psychosocial Determinants of Adequacy of Gestational Weight Gain

Pregnancy is a critical time window for evaluating weight gain on subsequent risk for obesity among women of childbearing age. The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, self-esteem, and fetal health locus of control (FHLC) beliefs were significant risk factors for adequacy of gestational weight gain (GWG) when maternal sociodemographic characteristics and health behaviors were considered. A total of 1,605 women were prospectively followed from < or =20 weeks' gestation through delivery. Participants completed standard self-report questionnaires. Adequacy of GWG was expressed as the ratio of observed/expected weight gain based on Institute of Medicine recommendations. Multivariate ANOVA models were conducted and generalized linear models were performed to calculate risk ratios. Higher depressive symptoms reported throughout pregnancy were significantly associated with higher adequacy ratios. Stronger beliefs in chance in determining fetal health predicted inadequate relative to adequate GWG and was positively associated with larger GWG ratios overall. Several relationships were attenuated when adjusted for covariates. The relationship between psychosocial status and adequacy of GWG is significantly impacted by maternal sociodemographic factors and health practices engaged in during pregnancy. Women who tend to believe that external factors primarily determine fetal health appear to be more vulnerable to nonadherence to clinical GWG guidelines. These results have important implications for targeting prevention and intervention efforts for improving maternal and fetal outcomes secondary to GWG patterns.

Health-related behavior and beliefs of pregnant smokers.

To determine the association of smoking with other health-compromising behavior and beliefs during pregnancy, a cross-sectional survey of 1,203 women in the United Kingdom assessed smoking status, stage of change, fetal health locus of control, alcohol consumption, folic acid intake, and use of vitamin and iron supplements. Twenty percent were current smokers, and 33% were alcohol users. Pregnant smokers (especially those in the precontemplative stage) were less likely to increase folic acid intake, less likely to take vitamin and iron supplements, and less likely to feel personally responsible for the health of the fetus. Infants of smokers may be placed at an intrauterine disadvantage, not only in terms of smoking, but also in terms of nutrition.

Intention to breastfeed and other important health-related behaviour and beliefs during pregnancy.

It is widely accepted that breastfeeding is the best form of infant feeding for the first 4-6 months of life. This study explored whether intention to breastfeed is associated with other positive maternal health-related behaviours and beliefs during pregnancy. A cross-sectional survey was carried out with 789 women attending antenatal clinics at Leicester Royal Infirmary NHS Trust. A structured questionnaire assessed feeding intention, use of folic acid, vitamin and iron supplementation, smoking status, smoking stage of change, and fetal health locus of control during pregnancy. Forty percent of the women stated that they intended to breastfeed exclusively, 27% planned to bottle feed, 23% intended to combine breast and bottle feeding and 10% were undecided. Women planning to breastfeed (either exclusively or in combination with bottle feeding) were more likely than those with alternative feeding plans to: have increased their folic acid intake, taken vitamin/iron supplements and have a primarily internal locus of control (perceive themselves to have control over the health of their unborn baby). Women intending to breastfeed were also less likely to smoke. Of the women who did smoke, those planning to breastfeed were more likely to be either considering or preparing to quit smoking during their pregnancy. In addition to educating pregnant smokers about the risks of maternal smoking, primary health care practitioners could also usefully address their knowledge, health beliefs and feeding intentions during antenatal care.

Cigarette Smoking during Pregnancy

To determine: 1. the prevalence of regular smoking in the latter half of pregnancy in a sample of Canadian prenatal patients; 2. the psycho-social and demographic characteristics that differentiate smoking from nonsmoking patients; 3. the characteristics that differentiate prenatal patients who smoke more than 10 cigarettes per day from those who smoke 1 to 10 cigarettes per day; and 4. the psychiatric morbidities or psychological attitudes associated with smoking in pregnancy. Consecutive consenting women 20 or more weeks pregnant were given, at a prenatal clinic, the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), the Fetal Health Locus of Control (FHLC), and a study questionnaire to complete. Five-hundred and forty-five women completed the questionnaires. Eighty-nine (16.3%) women reported regular daily cigarette smoking in the second half of pregnancy, while 43 (7.9%) smoked more than 10 cigarettes per day. Women who smoked were more likely than nonsmokers to be under 21, born in Canada, have only elementary education, be unemployed and unmarried, eat unhealthy diets, drink alcohol, use nonprescription and illicit drugs, have unplanned pregnancies, histories of emotional and physical problems, and have suffered physical abuse before and during pregnancy. Smokers were more likely than nonsmokers to meet case status on the GHQ and on the FHLC to believe "chance" and less likely to believe that "internal control" or "powerful others" affected the health of their fetuses. "Social disorganization", "health risks", and "poor health" factors accounted for 83.1% of the total variance. Women who smoke in pregnancy have a higher rate than nonsmokers of other health risk behaviours, social disadvantage, and emotional disturbance. Psychiatrists can play an important role in identifying and treating emotional and psychiatric morbidity in women of reproductive age to facilitate a reduction in smoking rates in this high-risk population.

Alcohol drinking in pregnancy

Our study attempted to determine the prevalence of regular drinking during the second half of pregnancy among prenatal patients; the characteristics that differentiate drinkers from nondrinkers; and characteristics that differentiate prenatal patients who drink 7 or fewer standard drinks per week and those who drink more than 7. In our survey of consecutive English-speaking prenatal patients over 20 weeks' gestation, women self-reported on health habits from a study questionnaire and completed the General Health Questionnaire and Fetal Health Locus of Control. Eighty-three percent (466 of 561) of women provided data on alcohol intake during the second half of pregnancy: 106 (22.7%) reported regular weekly drinking in pregnancy, and the mean number of standard drinks was 1.97 (SD 9.78, range 0.5–184) per week. Thirty-eight (8.2%) women reported drinking more than seven standard drinks, and 14 (3.0%) reported more than 14 standard drinks per week. Women who drank more than seven standard drinks per week were significantly more likely to be under 21 years of age, poorly educated, unemployed, unmarried, to have unplanned pregnancies, emotional problems, eat unhealthy diets, smoke, use illicit drugs, and be physically abused. They also were more likely to meet psychiatric case status on the General Health Questionnaire ( t = 3.85, p = 0.0001) and to believe that “chance” ( t = 3.41, p = 0.001) rather than “internal control” ( t = −3.54, p = 0.001) affected the health of their fetuses as measured by the Fetal Health Locus of Control. We concluded that pregnant women who drink alcohol often have other health risk factors. Physicians should strive to identify these women and counsel or refer them to appropriate programs to reduce fetal risks.

Physical Abuse in Pregnancy

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of abuse during late pregnancy and to investigate how abused and nonabused pregnant women differ in demographic characteristics, health habits, psychologic distress and attitudes about fetal health. DESIGN: Survey of women attending for prenatal health care or admitted to hospital for delivery. The information was obtained on one occasion from self-report questionnaires, completed with the option of anonymity. SETTINGS: Community-based prenatal clinic, private obstetricians9 offices in a large city, private family physicians9 offices in a large city, family physicians9 offices in a small town, and a university teaching hospital. PATIENTS: English-speaking women at 20 weeks9 or more gestation attending or admitted consecutively. INTERVENTIONS: Three self-report questionnaires: the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), the Fetal Health Locus of Control (FHLC) and the study questionnaire. RESULTS: Thirteen women (2.4%) refused to participate in the survey. Of the 548 women who completed the questionnaires 36 (6.6%) reported abuse during the current pregnancy and 60 (10.9%) before it. There were no significant differences in rates of abuse between settings. Of the women abused during the pregnancy 23 (63.9%) reported increased abuse during the pregnancy, and 28 (77.8%) remained with the abuser. Twenty-four pregnant women (66.7%) received medical treatment for abuse, but only 1 (2.8%) told her prenatal care provider of the abuse. Factor analysis revealed three factors associated with abuse in pregnancy: social instability (comprising low age, unmarried status, lower level of education, unemployment and unplanned pregnancy), unhealthy lifestyle (comprising poor diet, alcohol use, illicit drug use and emotional problems) and physical health (comprising health problems and prescription drug use). The GHQ scores showed that the abused women were significantly more emotionally distressed than the nonabused women (p

Maternal and fetal health locus of control during pregnancy: A comparison of women with diabetes and nondiabetic women

Abstract This study investigated fetal and maternal health locus of control beliefs among 39 pregnant women with overt (Type I or Type II) diabetes, 124 women with gestational diabetes, and 72 nondiabetic pregnant controls. Results indicated that the women with overt diabetes obtained higher scores on the Powerful Others subscale of the Fetal Health Locus of Control Scale (FHLC) than nondiabetic controls. Women with gestational diabetes obtained higher scores on the Chance subscale of the FHLC than the other two groups. The three groups did not differ on any subscale of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC). However, the Chance and Powerful Others subscales of the MHLC were related to psychological distress during pregnancy. Findings suggest that when providing care for pregnant women with diabetes, clinicians might best emphasize the effects of maternal behavior on the health of the fetus rather than on the mother's own health.

Fetal Health Locus of Control scale: Development and validation.

This article describes the development of the 18-item Fetal Health Locus of Control (FHLC) scale and also demonstrates the scale's utility in predicting maternal health-related behavior during pregnancy. Normative data are presented, along with information on its factor structure and internal consistency. Evidence for discriminant validity of the FHLC in contrast to another measure of locus of control is also provided. Reported cigarette and caffeine consumption during pregnancy were related to locus of control expectancies. Women's intentions to participate in prepared childbirth classes (a means of enhancing self-control over the labor and delivery process) were also related to their locus of control beliefs.

Fetal health locus of control scale: development and validation.

This article describes the development of the 18-item Fetal Health Locus of Control (FHLC) scale and also demonstrates the scale's utility in predicting maternal health-related behavior during pregnancy. Normative data are presented, along with information on its factor structure and internal consistency. Evidence for discriminant validity of the FHLC in contrast to another measure of locus of control is also provided. Reported cigarette and caffeine consumption during pregnancy were related to locus of control expectancies. Women's intentions to participate in prepared childbirth classes (a means of enhancing self-control over the labor and delivery process) were also related to their locus of control beliefs.