| Description |
This study was an attempt to describe the background and social characteristics of unmarried mothers, who 31, 1967G Characteristics of never-married and divorced delivered at University Hospital January 1 to December unwed mothers were compared. It was felt that in order to provide effective services to the unmarried mother, Methodology research must be done to determine some of the factors which may influence plans for the baby's disposition. Methodology Utilizing the records of the Obstetrics-Gynecology Department, University of Utah Medical Center, all of the unmarried mothers on the service, who delivered during the calendar year of 1967, were identified. Included in the category "unmarried" were divorced, separate, widowed and never-married patients Because marital status logically seemed to be a major variable in the decision around defied on this variable$ The number of cases studied had to position, it was decided that the sample should be stratified limited, so widowed and separated subjects were eliminated from the outset. Names of the divorced and never-married subjects were arranged alphabetically and assigned consecutive numbers. By means of a random number table 25 divorced and 25 never-married subjects were selected. A list of alternates was also prepared and was utilized if a record was not available or did not fit into the designated category .. Data were obtained by applying a schedule to the medical records@ Results were converted into percentages6) The Chi-square test of significance was utilized, where applicable. Conclusions The null hypothesis is accepted, i. e., there are no important differences in characteristics of never-married and divorced unmarried mothers, as related to the plan for the baby® Over three-fourths of the subjects in each group kept their babies The divorced unmarried mother differed from the never married mother with respect to age, number of children and living arrangements The majority of divorced subjects were over age 25g had one or more children and lived alone, or with their children, whereas the never-married subjects tended to be under age 25, were experiencing their first pregnancy, and lived with their families It is assumed that differences between the two groups in marital status, number of children and living arrangements are all functions of the difference in age. Insufficient data were available in regard to the initial decision to keep or place the baby for adoption, making it. impossible to determine any differences between the initial plan and the actual decision. |
