Examining the relationship between university students' perceived parenting attitudes, childhood adverse experiences and childbearing motivations

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship and predictive power of perceived parenting attitudes and adverse childhood experiences on the childbearing motivations among university students aged 18-30. In addition, the study investigated how the childbearing motivations differ across sociodemographic variables. The study involved 344 students from across Turkey who were enrolled in university education at various levels. In this quantitative study, Sociodemographic Information Form, Adverse Childhood Experiences Scale, S-Perceived Parenting Attitudes Child Form, and Childbearing Motivation Scale were used. The data obtained were analysed using the SPSS 26.0 software package. Independent Samples t-Test, One-Way ANOVA, Pearson r Correlation Test, Multiple Linear Regression, Kruskal Wallis H Test, and Mann-Whitney U Test were applied. As a result of the analyses, significant relationships were found between ACE and EMBU-C, ACE and CMS and EMBU-C and CMS. However, it was found that ACE predicted negative CMS in a low and negative direction. Positive CMS, on the other hand, was predicted by perceived emotional warmth from parents in a positive and low direction. In the analyses conducted on categorical variables, no significant differences were found in terms of income status, parental education, and current level of education, while significant differences were found in terms of gender and marital status. Accordingly, women's negative CMS is higher than men's, while women's positive CMS is lower than men's. Participants who reported being in a romantic relationship had higher negative CMS than single and married participants. The findings obtained from the analyses of this study indicate that experiences within the family during early life and the relationship established between parents and children have a relational and predictive level of influence on children's childbearing motivation in adulthood. This finding is important for Turkiye, where fertility rates remain below the replacement level of population. There is a need for studies examining the psychosocial factors shaping individuals' motivations for childbearing in Turkiye. Future studies incorporating different variables, broader participant groups, and diverse social and cultural contexts will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of childbearing motivations.