COGNITIVE ADAPTATION TO STRESSFUL EVENTS DURING PREGNANCY AND POSTPARTUM - DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING OF THE CASE INSTRUMENT

The purpose of this article is to describe the development and testing during pregnancy and postpartum of a new instrument, the Cognitive Ad aptation to Stressful Events Scale (CASE). The conceptual framework fo r the CASE is based on Taylor's theory of cognitive adaptation to thre atening events using the dimensions of meaning, mastery, and self-este em. A convenience of 202 primigravidia women completed the CASE at six assessment points: 10 to 12, 20 to 22, and 30 to 32 weeks of pregnanc y and 1 to 2,8, and 14 weeks postpartum. Regression analysis conducted with CASE scores at each of the assessment points in relation to psyc hological symptom distress as measured with the SCL-90R Global Severit y Index (GSI) indicated a strong relationship during each time period. Although replication with multiethnic, high-risk pregnancy and clinic ally depressed groups is needed, the CASE is a promising tool for exam ining the cognitive adaptation process occurring during pregnancy and postpartum.