The purpose of this study is to explore the self-concepts, evaluation and coping mechanisms of pregnant women carrying a genetic disease. This qualitative study is done as a clinical field study. With purposive sampling and observer-as-participant approach was employed. After choosing the study subjects, the researcher acted as a primary nurse and contacted the subjects on their medical visits. Through the research period, the researcher provided the subjects with any clinical help they needed and had telephone call interviews once a week to understand the inner thoughts and self-concepts of those subjects and to know more about their feelings. This research shows as follows: Their self-concepts are:1.A feeling of powerlessness regarding being a carrier of inheritable disease genes. 2.Seeing oneself as a normal figure with a hidden defect. 3.Suffering from her destiny.4.Worried about one's status in the family clan. Their coping behavior are:1.Making efforts to escape from the imprisoned status for the time being.2.Trying to keep a balance between change and stability.3.Protecting oneself from harm.4.Seeing suffering as a growth mechanism.With this research, we can understand the self-concepts of pregnant women who have a Thalassemia fetus for a second time and provide them with nursing care they need. This will also provide obstetric nursing with a clinical reference

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Back to 15th International Nursing Research Congress
Sigma Theta Tau International
July 22-24, 2004