Clothing plays an important part in establishing and maintaining one's self worth. Maternity clothing is especially important: to the pregnant woman in maintaining her self-worth and in preparing for the new role as a mother. The maternity wear apparel industry caters to the average-size customer. very often it is difficult or impossible to acquire maternity clothing to fit the small or the large-size maternity wear customer. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of self-reported dress size category on self-worth, body cathexis, and satisfaction with available selection of maternity clothing for pregnant females. / Ph. D.