Interdependence needs and nursing care of the new family

A pilot study based on the interdependence mode of the Roy adaptation model was conducted to evaluate interdependence needs in the new family. The interdependence mode consists of giving and receiving behaviors in the categories of significant other, support systems (friendships), support systems (extended family), and a person's experience of feeling alone. A questionnaire addressing these categories was administered to 10 newly delivered mothers on a family-centered maternity unit. The lower mean scores for the categories of extended family and feeling alone suggest the need for further evaluation in these categories. A foundation was laid for further study of interdependence needs and family nursing, but more research using larger, random samples is needed.