Self-care agency in two groups of pregnant women.

Self-care agency, a multidimensional concept in Orem's self-care deficit nursing theory, includes motivation, decision-making, energy, and knowledge necessary to perform self-care actions. Basic conditioning factors affect individuals' development and exercise of self-care agency. Secondary analysis of Appraisal of Self-Care Agency (ASA) scores in two groups of pregnant women, (1) a childbirth education group (n = 119) and (2) a clinic group (n = 127) was completed. Group 2 had significantly higher ASA scores. Several basic conditioning factors influenced ASA scores. Results offer implications for Orem's theory and maternity nursing practice.