Thynne, Clare2012-02-142012-02-142006-06-02http://hdl.handle.net/10147/210730This thesis explores the phenomenon of late disclosure of pregnancy. The concepts of denial and concealment, which are used in the literature to describe this process are framed largely by a medical ‘outsider’ perspective, and are based on an implicit assumption of pathology. Prior research has focused on the negative medical outcomes for both mother and child following this phenomenon and a dearth of psychological research exists in this area. In addition, there is a lack of Irish based psychological research examining this subject matter. Furthermore, no research has explored the meaning of late disclosure of pregnancy from the ‘insider’ perspective namely of the women who experience it. The current thesis comprises of two studies aimed at enhancing clinician’s understanding of this phenomenon. Study one explores late disclosure of pregnancy by employing in-depth interviews with a sample group of Irish women (n=8). The women were asked about their experiences of pregnancy and why they felt it was necessary to delay disclosure. The interviews were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Delayed disclosure of pregnancy emerged as a dynamic and multidimensional concept. Study two investigated the socio-demographic profile of women in a target group who had delayed disclosure of pregnancy (n=43) and a smaller aged-matched comparison group (n=30). The demographic profiles of women drawn from these two groups were compared. Late disclosure was more common in women from a rural background and women who feared a negative parental reaction.enRESEARCHPREGNANCYWOMEN'S HEALTHPSYCHOLOGYSOCIAL SUPPORTThesis