Psychosocial predictors of the fear of childbirth in Turkish pregnant women

Abstract

Introduction: Fear of childbirth (FOC) affects women's emotional health, preparation for birth, and outcomes of birth. Identifying the predictors of FOC can aid in identifying strategies for reducing women's FOC. Objective: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was aimed at determining the psychosocial predictors of FOC in pregnant women. Methods: The participants were 624 nulliparous and multiparous pregnant women in their last trimester. Data were collected using a personal information form, Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire A, Childbirth Self-Efficacy Inventory, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Prenatal Self-Evaluation Questionnaire. Hierarchical regression analysis was performed to determine the predictors of FOC. Results: FOC was high among this study's participants and severe for one fifth of them. The psychosocial variables predicting FOC were self-efficacy and trait anxiety level, and spousal support was found to be a mediator variable in the relationship between self-efficacy and FOC. Conclusion: The findings suggest that psychosocial variables are key to predicting FOC.