Mothering and Anxiety: An Evaluation of the Anxiety Levels of First-time Mothers in Rural Kentucky and Rural Michigan
AN ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION OF LLENA CHAVIS, for the Doctor of Philosophy degree in COUNSELING EDUCATION, presented on May 12, 2014, at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. MOTHERING AND ANXIETY: AN EVALUATION OF THE ANXIETY LEVELS OF FIRST-TIME MOTHERS IN RURAL KENTUCKY AND RURAL MICHIGAN MAJOR PROFESSORS: Dr. Kimemia and Dr. Champe Postpartum depression is thoroughly addressed in professional literature, whereas anxiety in first-time mothers is generally addressed as a component of, or with, depression. This dissertation investigated anxiety as a phenomenon distinct from depression evaluated several variables that influence anxiety in first-time mothers. The question, how are maternal sense of competence and perceived social support related to first-time mothers' anxiety in a rural setting, when depression, socioeconomic status (SES), and marital status are controlled for was explored. The population studied in this research is made up of women with children 24 months or younger living in rural Murray, Kentucky, and rural Allegan City in Michigan. The constructs of maternal sense of competence and perceived social support were both found to be significant in explaining first-time mothers' anxiety.
Anxiety, Competence, Depression, Mothering, Rural, Social Support
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