Nursing diagnoses of the self-perception domain in women in the puerperium

Purpose: During puerperium, women experience changes that may be responsible for disorders in the phenomenon of self-perception. Thus, the present study aims to analyze the nursing diagnoses of the self-perception domain of NANDA International Taxonomy II in puerperal women. Methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional, and quantitative study. The sample consisted of 153 women on puerperium followed in a University Hospital in a Brazilian capital. Data were collected through interviews with the application of an instrument. Data analysis was performed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee (CAAE: 02849818.0. 0000.5208). Findings: The most prevalent Nursing Diagnosis of the self-concept class was Readiness for enhanced self-concept, which presented statistically significant associations with two defining characteristics. The risk for situational low self-esteem was the most prevalent Nursing Diagnosis in the Self-esteem class and presented associations to two risk factors. The Nursing Diagnosis Disrupted body image, present in the Body Image class, showed associations with 11 significant defining characteristics. Conclusions: The analysis of the Nursing Diagnosis of the Self-Perception domain can assist in planning interventions directed to the specific needs of women in the puerperium. Implications for nursing practice: This study may contribute to the development of specific interventions to the reality of the puerperal, encouraging the nursing professional to implement the Nursing Process in the clinical practice. It may also contribute to the refinement of the NANDA-II taxonomy and the advancement of nursing research, in addition to providing safe clinical practice grounded in scientific knowledge for planning educational actions in puerperal women in order to minimize the negative perceptions experienced by them.