Role supplementation: an empirical test of a nursing intervention

This study tested the effects of role supplementations, as a preventive nursing intervention, on families who were experiencing a transition from a dyadic to a triadic relationship through the birth of a first child. Three groups--experimental (N = 12), control (N = 36), and FamCap (N = 10)--participated. Participation in the role supplementation prograd did not sharpen communication skills, increase skill in role taking, or increase the congruency in role perceptions. The intervention did help experimental group wives to have lower anxiety scores postdelivery than other wives in the study, although anxiety increased in all subjects. Through role supplementation intervention, experimental wives showed significant differences in their perceptions and attitudes toward ignoring the infant, protectiveness of the infant, and responsiveness of intants' needs.