Measuring the Childbearing Motivation of Couples Referred to the Shiraz Health Center for Premarital Examinations

Abstract

Millions of children who were born during the first decade after the Islamic revolution in Iran are now reaching the age of marriage and childbearing. Short spacing between marriage and the birth of the first child has the potential to cause an excessive and costly increase in the growth of population in Iran. Research into the motivations for the birth of first child among newly married couples can create a knowledge base that will enable health centres to help these couples make better decisions about the timing of their first pregnancy. Using a consecutive sampling technique and administering Miller’s Childbearing Questionnaire, data were gathered regarding the childbearing motivations and desires of 300 couples who had been referred to the Shiraz Health Center for premarital counselling. The Childbearing Questionnaire, with some minor modifications, was found to be a valid and reliable instrument for measuring the childbearing motivations of newly married couples of Shiraz County, Fars Province, Iran. The utility of these findings for counselling in health centres is discussed. Based on the results, a longitudinal study is being designed that will allow the development of models for predicting the time of first pregnancy after marriage.

Concerns about One’s Own Future or Securing Child’s Future: Paradox of Childbearing Decision Making

“…It seems that the relationship between two partners affect the formation of reproductive decisions [43] and reports related to reproductive behavior emphasize the importance of the interaction between spouses at the time of childbearing decision making [44] [45]. Also, Pezeshki et al (2005) suggested on the basis of their study that couple may have children in order to strenghten the marital relationship [13].…”

Uma abordagem qualitativa às motivações positivas e negativas para a parentalidade

“…As dimensões sociais/normativas têm sido relacionadas com o cumprimento de expectativas sociais e familiares ou de preceitos morais e religiosos (Pezeshki, Zeighami, & Miller, 2005); têm ainda contemplado a afirmação do estatuto social/identidade de adulto, a continuidade familiar, imortalidade e preservação da espécie (Cassidy & Sintrovani, 2008;Van Balen & TrimbosKemper, 1995). A força de trabalho como forma de ajuda ao sustento económico da família e o apoio na velhice têm caracterizado as dimensões económicas/utilitárias (Miller, 1995).…”

“…As dimensões sociais/normativas têm contemplado preocupações demográficas (sobrepopulação) e a responsabilidade social face ao estado actual do mundo (Pezeshki, Zeighami, & Miller, 2005). As restrições e despesas financeiras com a criança têm caracterizado as dimensões económicas/utilitárias (Arnold et al, 1975;Park, 2005).…”

“…As exigências dos cuidados parentais têm assumido especial expressão nas mulheres, tornando-se mais significativas à medida que aumenta o número de filhos (Bulatao, 1981). As dimensões sociais/normativas, económicas/ /utilitárias e biológicas/físicas têm assumido maior expressão nos países em vias de desenvolvimento e nos meios economicamente desfavorecidos (Arnold et al 1975;Pezeshki et al, 2005); as restrições financeiras têm igualmente sido mais valorizadas pelos homens (Arnold et al, 1975;O'Laughlin & Anderson, 2001).…”

Perceptions and motivations of an Australian cohort of women with or without congenital heart disease proceeding to pregnancy

“…An increasing number of women with CHD are now reaching reproductive age and are keen to conceive and complete a pregnancy, posing health risks to themselves and to their unborn child. In general, a woman's decision to conceive and complete a pregnancy is influenced by multiple factors [2–5].…”