The effect of partners' participation in childbirth preparation training on pregnant women's perception of spousal support, fear of childbirth, and self-efficacy

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of partners' participation in childbirth preparation training on pregnant women's perception of spousal support, fear of childbirth, and self-efficacy. This quasi-experimental study was conducted between September 2, 2024, and August 10, 2025, at Istanbul Prof. Dr. Cemil Taşçıoğlu City Hospital with a three-group, pretest–posttest controlled design, including a total of 120 voluntary pregnant women. Data were collected using the Pregnant Information Form, Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire (W-DEQ), Spousal Support Scale (EDÖ), and Childbirth Self-Efficacy Inventory (DÖYE-D32). Analyses were performed using SPSS 27.0, with a significance level set at p<0.05. The study was conducted with three groups, each comprising 40 pregnant women, making a total of 120 participants. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of education level, employment status, partner's education level, or gestational weeks (p=0.965; p=0.967; p=0.964; p=1.000). In the Partner–Pregnant Group, where partners attended the training together with the pregnant women, Spousal Support Scale and Self-Efficacy scores increased significantly, while fear of childbirth significantly decreased (p<0.001). In the Control Group, however, an increase in fear of childbirth was associated with a decrease in self-efficacy (p<0.001). Participation in childbirth education programs together with their partners reduced childbirth fear among pregnant women while increasing their perception of spousal support and self-efficacy. Regression analysis revealed significant associations between W-DEQ scores and age (β = -0.252; p = 0.022), source of childbirth information (β = -0.559; p = 0.006), and perceived ability to cope with labor pain (β = -0.140; p = 0.017). No significant factors were identified for EDÖ or DÖYE-D32 in the initial regression analysis. However, multivariate regression analysis showed that for the total DÖYE-D32 score, age (β = 0.351; p = 0.026), partner's educational level (β = 0.678; p = 0.007), perception of coping with labor pain (β = 0.445; p = 0.042), and W-DEQ fear of childbirth scores (β = 0.671; p = 0.016) were determining factors. The findings of this study demonstrate that the participation of spouses in childbirth education contributes to increased perceived spousal support, reduced childbirth fear, and enhanced self-efficacy among pregnant women. Moreover, these benefits were further reinforced through the active involvement of spouses in the process.