The relationship between couple adjustment and vaginal birth self-efficacy in different cultures

Pregnancy is a period when marital compatibility becomes important to feel strong in every aspect, including her ability to give birth vaginally. Being an immigrant has the potential to bring insecurities in every aspect of life. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between couple adjustment and vaginal birth self-efficacy in different cultures. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Istanbul Zeynep Kamil Gynecology and Children's Hospital, between 05.02.2023 and 05.05.2024 with 310 pregnant women, 155 were Turkish, 155 were immigrants including mostly Syrians (n=82), Afghans (n=14), Uzbeks (n=13), Turkmen (n=11). Data were collected with a questionnaire, the Dyadic Adjustment Scale, and the vaginal birth self-efficacy scale with face-to-face interviews. Pregnant age is 28.6± 5.46, spouse age is 28.0±5.45, most are high school graduates, income equal to their expenses (53.9%), 33.9% live in the district, and 70.6% have a nuclear family, 38.9% of them are victims of violence, married with 22.74±4.83, for 50% first-time pregnancy, 81.6% want only normal birth and have not attended a pregnancy school (91.6%). Dyadic adjustment score was 54.65±5.95 at a moderate, and vaginal birth self-efficacy was 61.70±15.62 (0-90). While the spouse's age, education level, and income status of Turkish and immigrant pregnant women showed a similar distribution (p>0.05), marriage age and gestational age were higher in Turks (p<0.05), the number of living children and number of pregnancies were higher in immigrants (p<0.05). Study findings show the importance of midwives and nurses taking into account the cultural and social characteristics of Turkish and immigrant pregnant women in the care process, and their inclusion in pregnancy education programs to support couple adjustment and spousal support, including fathers, in contributing to the expectant mother's vaginal birth self-efficacy. Since there are not enough studies on the subject, the findings will contribute to future studies.