임신기 부부의 첫 부모됨 적응과정에 대한 근거이론 연구

A Grounded Theory Study on First-Time Pregnant Couples’ Adaptation Processes to Parenthood

The purpose of this study was to examine first-time pregnant couples' adaptation processes to parenthood by using the grounded theory approach. The participants were six pregnant couples who were experiencing pregnancy for the first time in their lives. Data were collected through individual in-depth interviews, and then analyzed through the processes of open coding, axial coding, and selective coding based on the grounded theory method. As a result of open coding, thirty concepts, eighteen subcategories, and seven categories were discovered. Following the paradigm analysis of the axial coding, causal conditions, contextual conditions, phenomenon, intervention conditions, and action/interaction strategies that lead to the consequence of “adjustment to parenthood” were analyzed. “Overcoming conflicts during first-time pregnancy and positive adjustment to parenthood” was suggested as the core category after selective coding was carried out. The two types of the adaptation processes were the “gradual adjustment type” and the “active change type.” The results of this study can be used as a basis for developing parent education and family relationship programs for first-time pregnant couples as well as for improving understanding of them.