Year: 2009
Type: article
Study design: Clinical Trial
Abstract: One of the leading causes of mental retardation, birth defects, and neurodevelopmental disorders in the United States is prenatal alcohol exposure leading to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (Jacobs, Copperman, Jeffe, & Kulig, 2000).Although any alcohol consumption during pregnancy is unsafe (US DHHS, 2005), the percentage of women giving birth to alcohol exposed infants is 34.4% (Bobo, Klepinger, & Dong, 2006).Due to physical and psychological consequences of in utero alcohol exposure, it is imperative that caregivers have evidence-based interventions that lead to a decrease in alcohol use during pregnancy.The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a theoretically based motivational interviewing (MI) intervention in decreasing drinking during pregnancy.The influence of the MI intervention on the pregnant women's drinking behaviors as mediated by Self-Determination Theory's concepts of basic psychological needs and autonomous motivations was also explored.Pregnant women (N = 171) were screened for alcohol use in the previous year at three prenatal clinics.Of the 74 women eligible for the study, 67 women consented to participate with random assignment to an MI Intervention (MII) group or a No-MI Intervention Comparison (NIC) group.The MII group received the intervention and standard education regarding the risks of alcohol use during pregnancy.The NIC group received only standard education.Both groups were assessed for patterns of alcohol use, levels of basic psychological needs, and autonomous motivations at baseline and at 4-6 week follow-up.Fifty-six pregnant women completed all study procedures.Structural equation modeling was conducted to test the hypotheses of this study.Two models tested the effects of the MI intervention on (1) changes in the number of drink days per week from baseline to the 4-6 week follow-up and (2) changes in number of iii When one begins a journey, more often than not, the unexpected occurs.Well laid plans give way to unforeseen, surprising events that are more predestined and meaningful than anticipated.My doctoral education has been such a journey, with new discoveries at every turn.And much to my delight, this journey has led not only to increased knowledge and experience as a nurse scientist, but it has also created in me an evolution of being as a person.Life lessons have been embraced during this process that I will carry with me personally and professionally, striving to pay them forward to those for whom I care, whether my patients or my loved ones.I would like to thank my dissertation chair, Dr. Susan Elek, for her keenness of intellect and thought and her indelible spirit which she has shared with me the last 3 years.The life lessons she has shared I will take with me always -how to embrace life with open arms, to focus on what is really important, and to persevere despite the odds.I would also like to thank Dr. Janice Dyehouse for her expertise and mentoring over the last almost 20 years.She has been an inspiration of an exemplar nurse scientist and of how to live life with grace, meaning, and caring.I extend my gratitude to Dr. Wei Pan, who has provided much support and expertise with this study.His creative and interactive teaching abilities have assisted me in greater understanding of statistical methods.His kindness and generosity of time and knowledge have provided me calm in the storms.To my fellow students and "Hoodies", I say thank you.Kelly, your energy and enthusiasm is contagious and has made graduate school and life a great pleasure.Deb, your compassion for others and passion for your work is changing the world and us.Cheri, you create vi a sense of balance, peace, and harmony that has been a blessing to us all in good and not so good times.We will forever be "in the hood".
Author: Robin L. Osterman
Institution: University of Cincinnati
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W167058927