Factors influencing first childbearing timing decisions among men: Path analysis

Abstract

Background:Factors that influence men’s childbearing intentions have been relatively unexplored in the literature.Objective: This study aimed to determine the influencing factors about the first childbearing timing decisions of men. Materials and Methods:In this cross-sectional study, 300 men who were referred to private and governmental healthcare centers in Shahrood, Iran were randomly recruited from April to September 2014. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Quality of Life Questionnaire; ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Questionnaire, Synder’s Hope Scale, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Results:After removing the statistically insignificant paths, men’s age at marriage had the highest direct effect (β=0.86) on their first childbearing decision. Marital satisfaction (β=-0.09), social support (β=0.06), economic status (β=0.06), and quality of life (β=-0.08) were other effective factors on men’s first childbearing decisions. Moreover, marital satisfaction and social support had significant indirect effects on men’s childbearing decisions (β=-0.04 and -0.01, respectively).Conclusion:Many factors, including personal factors (age at marriage and quality of life), family factors (marital satisfaction), and social factors (social support), can affect men’s decision to have a child. Policymakers are hence required to develop strategies to promote the socioeconomic and family conditions of the couples and to encourage them to have as many children as they desire at an appropriate time.

The Mediating Effects of Social Self-Concept on Gender, Sexual Orientation, and Parenting Intentions

“…Women rated having a stable relationship and a partner to share the responsibilities as significantly more important than men. Men rated having permanent employment as significantly more important, consistent with the findings of an all-male study by Kariman et al (2016). In addition, the men in Mogilevkina et al’s (2016) study, particularly those who did not want to have children, responded at a higher rate than women that the consequences of parenthood would involve strains on personal finances and on their relationship with their partner.…”

Understanding the rationales behind childbearing

“…In previous studies aimed at identifying factors related to childbearing intent and behavior, similar results have been obtained. [ 13 15 23 ] Social support refers to the tangible and psychological resources that are provided to individuals through communication with family members, friends, neighbors, colleagues, and others. Social support includes informational, instrumental, and emotional support.…”

“…[ 10 ] One of the factors affecting childbearing, especially in Iranian Society, which has been proven in several studies, is social support. [ 13 14 15 ] Therefore, in the present study, we decided to add this concept to the TPB and extend it, and consequently, the extended TPB (ETPB) was used as a conceptual framework for the study.…”

Factors Affecting the First Childbearing Decision in Iranian Males

“…Significant demographic change in developed countries is delayed childbearing, which is increasing [1]. In line with these developments, the parental age for men aged 30-49 years has steadily increased since 1980; however, parental rates have declined for men aged 25-29 years [2]. According to studies conducted in England and Wales, in 25% of births in 1993, men aged ˃35 years; this rate increased to 40% in 10 years.…”

“…Numerous studies investigating the risks associated with increasing paternal age indicated that it changes the reproductive function at different levels. These levels include reproductive hormones production, sexual function, semen production, fertility, pregnancy outcomes, and some age-related defects and abnormalities [2,13,14]. Pregnancy at older ages in men leads to infertility; it also has adverse effects, such as fetal death, preterm delivery, low birth weight, congenital defects (cleft of lip and palate, and cardiac defects), achondroplasia, bone defects, Apert syndrome, schizophrenia, and childhood/ adulthood cancers.…”