Examination of women of reproductive age's fear of birth and their attitudes towards children

This study aimed to investigate the fear of childbearing and attitudes toward childbearing in women of reproductive age. This descriptive and correlational study was conducted face-to-face with 322 women of reproductive age who presented to Divriği Sadık Özgür State Hospital between May 15, 2024, and September 15, 2024. The Sociodemographic Data Form, the Fear of Childbearing Scale for Women of Reproductive Age (FRA), and the Attitudes Towards Fertility and Childbearing Scale (FFRAS) were used as data collection tools. The data obtained in the study were analyzed using a statistical package program (IBM SPSS 22.0). The conformity of the obtained data to a normal distribution and the homogeneity of the variances were assessed. Descriptive analyses (number, percentage, mean, standard deviation, minimum, maximum) were performed to evaluate the data. Data normality tests were performed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, histogram graphs, skewness, and kurtosis values. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for two-group comparisons with non-normal distribution, and the Kruskall-Wallis H test was used for three or more groups. The Tamhane post-hoc Test was used to determine which group caused the difference in three or more groups. The relationship between variables was examined using the Spearman's rho test. The Student's t-test was used for comparisons of two independent groups with normal distribution, One-Way Analysis of Variance (OneWay ANOVA) for comparisons of three or more groups, and the Pearson test for correlation. P <0.05 was accepted as the limit of significance in the study. Cronbach's alpha values of the scales used were also calculated. It was found that 69.9% of the participants were married, 45.3% had undergraduate or graduate degrees, 35.7% had an income level less than income and expenses, 92.2% had a nuclear family structure, 59.6% were housewives, 49.7% wanted to have children, 85% of those who wanted to have children wanted to become mothers, 55.9% were afraid of having children, and 36.6% used birth control methods. While the average age of the participants was vii 28.43±6.21, the average age of wanting to have a first child was found to be 27.71±2.67. It was found that the total average score of the women who participated in the study for fear of childbirth was 46.64±11.13. The average of Fear of Pregnancy, Childbirth and Motherhood Role was 18.80±5.76; It was concluded that the mean score of the fear of not being able to meet physical and social needs sub-dimension was 12.67±4.18; the mean score of the fear of pregnancy and childbirth problems sub-dimension was 15.16±4.31. Regarding the attitudes of women towards fertility and childbearing; the mean score of the future importance sub-dimension was 25.88±5.80; the mean score of the current obstacle sub-dimension was 25.83±8.32; the mean score of the feminine identity sub dimension was 16.44±5.76. A significant difference was found between the age, marital status, educational status of the participants in the study and the total and sub-dimensions of the Fear of Childbirth Scale (p<0.05). A significant difference was obtained between the women's reasons for wanting to have children, their fear of bearing children/giving birth, their use of contraception, the birth control method used and the total scores of the CBCL (p<0.05). It was determined that there was a significant difference between the age of the participants in the study and the femininity identity sub-dimension score of the Attitudes Towards Fertility and Childbearing Scale (ATCS) (p<0.05).In conclusion, while giving birth and becoming a parent are joyful life events for a woman, they are also considered stressful. While having children can be a hindrance in a woman's current life, the value of fertility and motherhood in the future is important. Individual differences and age-related fertility should be addressed and discussed with women and their partners in healthcare settings. Indeed, large-sample research on women's identity related to motherhood and childbearing in the 21st century is recommended. Keywords: Fear, Fear of Childbirth, Fertility, Attitude