Beyond demographics: the role of family conditions in shaping childbearing attitudes among married women in Iran
- 1Student Research Committee, Sarab Faculty of Medical Sciences
- 2Department of Public Health, Sarab Faculty of Medical Sciences
- 3Department of Nursing, Sarab Faculty of Medical Sciences
Abstract
Background Declining fertility rates have emerged as a major demographic and socioeconomic challenge worldwide, including in Iran. Understanding the role of family conditions in shaping women’s reproductive attitudes is essential for informing effective fertility-related policies and interventions.This study aimed to examine the relationship between family conditions and attitudes toward childbearing among married women in Sarab, Iran. Methods Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Family Conditions Questionnaire, and a researcher-developed Attitudes Toward Childbearing Questionnaire. The researcher-developed questionnaire demonstrated good validity and reliability (overall Cronbach’s alpha = 0.886), while the Family Conditions Questionnaire had previously established psychometric properties. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27 using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, independent t-tests, Pearson’s correlation, and hierarchical regression analysis. Results Participants had a mean age of 31.4 years. Housewives reported more positive attitudes toward childbearing compared to employed women (p < 0.001). Significant differences were also observed across educational and financial groups (p < 0.001). Family conditions were strongly correlated with childbearing attitudes (r = 0.833, p < 0.01). Regression analysis showed that while demographic variables explained 13.1% of the variance in attitudes, inclusion of family conditions increased explained variance to 70.4%. Among family dimensions, educational (β = 0.270), economic (β = 0.266), and parenting interactions (β = 0.220) were the strongest predictors. Conclusion Family conditions, particularly the educational and economic dimensions, were more strongly associated with married women’s attitudes toward childbearing than demographic characteristics. In addition, favorable family conditions attenuated the statistical associations between education, employment status, and childbearing attitudes in the regression models. These findings highlight the importance of considering family dynamics, spousal communication, and intergenerational support when developing policies and counseling strategies aimed at promoting positive attitudes toward childbearing in Iran.
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BibTeX
@article{arabnezhad2026beyond,
title = {{Beyond demographics: the role of family conditions in shaping childbearing attitudes among married women in Iran}},
author = {Saba Arabnezhad and Amir Hossien Rostami and Towhid Babazadeh and Khalil Maleki Chollou and Fatemeh Mousavinezhad and Erfan Saeedi Tazekand},
journal = {Reproductive Health},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1186/s12978-026-02422-w},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-026-02422-w},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Beyond demographics: the role of family conditions in shaping childbearing attitudes among married women in Iran
AU - Saba Arabnezhad
AU - Amir Hossien Rostami
AU - Towhid Babazadeh
AU - Khalil Maleki Chollou
AU - Fatemeh Mousavinezhad
AU - Erfan Saeedi Tazekand
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - Reproductive Health
DO - 10.1186/s12978-026-02422-w
UR - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-026-02422-w
AB - Background Declining fertility rates have emerged as a major demographic and socioeconomic challenge worldwide, including in Iran. Understanding the role of family conditions in shaping women’s reproductive attitudes is essential for informing effective fertility-related policies and interventions.This study aimed to examine the relationship between family conditions and attitudes toward childbearing among married women in Sarab, Iran. Methods Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Family Conditions Questionnaire, and a researcher-developed Attitudes Toward Childbearing Questionnaire. The researcher-developed questionnaire demonstrated good validity and reliability (overall Cronbach’s alpha = 0.886), while the Family Conditions Questionnaire had previously established psychometric properties. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27 using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, independent t-tests, Pearson’s correlation, and hierarchical regression analysis. Results Participants had a mean age of 31.4 years. Housewives reported more positive attitudes toward childbearing compared to employed women (p < 0.001). Significant differences were also observed across educational and financial groups (p < 0.001). Family conditions were strongly correlated with childbearing attitudes (r = 0.833, p < 0.01). Regression analysis showed that while demographic variables explained 13.1% of the variance in attitudes, inclusion of family conditions increased explained variance to 70.4%. Among family dimensions, educational (β = 0.270), economic (β = 0.266), and parenting interactions (β = 0.220) were the strongest predictors. Conclusion Family conditions, particularly the educational and economic dimensions, were more strongly associated with married women’s attitudes toward childbearing than demographic characteristics. In addition, favorable family conditions attenuated the statistical associations between education, employment status, and childbearing attitudes in the regression models. These findings highlight the importance of considering family dynamics, spousal communication, and intergenerational support when developing policies and counseling strategies aimed at promoting positive attitudes toward childbearing in Iran.
SN - 1742-4755
ER -