Interpersonal constructs of pregnant women during the perinatal period: Their perceptions of medical staff

Interpersonal perception of pregnant women was investigated using a symbol figure placement technique (The Doll Location Test: (DLT;Hatta, 1977)) and a Semantic Differential (SD) test. Eighteen pregnant women represented their interpersonal perception of medical staff (obstetrician, midwife, student midwife, and nurse in charge) and of their husbands by means of the DLT at four different times (34 weeks and 37 weeks of pregnancy, 3 days and 30 days after delivery). The DLT test revealed that perceptions of the pregnant women (emotional closeness, confidence, and dependence) towards medical staff changed over the period of contact, and that they perceived the midwife in charge, the most positively among medical staff. The SD test also showed a similar tendency. Based upon these findings, the special role of midwifery service was discussed.