Maternity career apparel and perceived job effectiveness

• Published in: Clothing and textiles research journal 1988, Vol.6 (2), p.30-36
• Main Authors: Belleau, B.D, Miller, K.A, Church, G.E
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: careers; fashion; maternal lineage; perception; work capacity
• ISSN: 0887-302X; 1940-2473
• DOI: 10.1177/0887302X8800600205

The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a relationship between maternity career apparel and perceived job effectiveness. A sample of 97 pregnant women was drawn from prenatal classes at a local hospital in a southern metropolitan area. A questionnaire, designed by the researchers, measured desired fashion appeal and styles of apparel worn to work and jacket styles for pregnant women. Also included was a component on perceived job effectiveness. Data were analyzed using chi square univariate and multivariate tests, and Spearman rank order correlation. Results indicated that there were significant differences among educational and career oriented groups for general fashion appeal. There were no significantdifferences among demographic groups for apparel worn to work or for jacket styles. Significant negative and positive associations were found for general fashion appeal and apparel worn to work with perceived job effectiveness. Respondents have needs that are different from career women in general, and professional attire worn during pregnancy is related to one's self-assessment of job effectiveness. The results have implications in terms of targeting pregnant professional women as a group with specific apparel needs and supported the relationship between appearance and perceived job effectiveness.