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.