Browsing by Author "Boyd, Christopher M."

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    The behavioral effects of nonnutritive sucking on infants of differential fetal growth
    Boyd, Christopher M. (Virginia Tech, 1989-05-05)
    Newborn infants with differential patterns of fetal growth, as determined by their weight-for-length, typically display behaviors which have been conceptualized as reflecting the integrity of the infant's behavioral organization. The newborn infant's sucking is one behavior that has been hypothesized to both reflect the effects of previous experiences on behavioral organization and affect the infant's future behavioral development. In particular, the infant's pattern of sucking activity may not only reflect the integrity of the infant's nervous system, it may also alter the temporal organization of the infant's behavioral state and motor activity by increasing behavioral quiescence. The purpose of this study was to compare the sucking activity of underweight-for-length (N = 30) and average-weight-for-length (N = 30) infants and its effects on behavioral state and motor activity. Fifteen low-PI and 15 average-PI infants were randomly assigned to each of two experimental conditions.
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    Patterns of delay and non-use of prenatal care services among underclass women: a social psychological analysis
    Boyd, Christopher M. (Virginia Tech, 1992-05-07)
    This study attempted to determine the relation between womens' anticipation of Esteem-Threat, their level of satisfaction, and their utilization of prenatal care services in the public assistance setting. One-hundred twenty-six women completed a battery of questionnaires during an initial clinic visit. Measures of patient datisfaction were completed after a minimum of four clinic visits. Results showed a significant linear relation between womens' anticipation of Esteem-Threat and satisfaction with services. No relations were found between Esteem-Threat and the timing of entry into prenatal care. A small, statistically significant relation was found between Esteem-Threat and the number of appointments kept. Results are discussed in the context of the limitations of the sample and the psychometric properties of the measures. Future applications of the Esteem-Threat model are also discussed.