Factors Influencing Women’s Intention to Seek Counseling for Pregnancy-Related Anxiety: An Application of Theory of Planned Behavior

Document Type : Original Research Article

Authors

1 a) Associate Professor, Patient Safety Research Center, Clinical Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran b) Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran

2 MSc Student in Midwifery Consultation, Student Research Center Affiliated to Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran

3 Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatics, School of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran

4 a) Associate Professor, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran b) Department of Public Health, School of Health, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran

10.22038/jmrh.2025.73845.2157

Abstract

Background & aim: Pregnancy-related anxiety needs to be prevented and managed due to its side effects. Health-promoting behaviors can significantly contribute to the prevention of anxiety during pregnancy. Accordingly, this study aimed to identify factors predicting women’s intention to seek counseling for pregnancy-related anxiety using the theory of planned behavior (TPB).
Methods: This predictive correlational study was conducted on 200 pregnant women who visited healthcare centers in Sardasht, Northwest Iran during 2019 to 2020. Participants were selected using a stratified random sampling method. Data were collected through a valid and reliable four-part questionnaire which assessed participants’ characteristics, knowledge, TPB variables, and anxiety during pregnancy via the Pregnancy-Related Anxiety Questionnaire (PRAQ- R2). The collected data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical tests including Pearson’s correlation coefficient and linear regression analysis in SPSS version 23.
Results: Data analysis showed that overall, TPB predicted 58.6% of the intention to seek counseling. Also it was found that constructs of TPB including attitude (β=0.15; p<0.019), subjective norms (β=0.31; p<0.001) and perceived behavioral control (β=0.21; p<0.047) had a significant effect on the intention to seek counseling.
Conclusion: All TPB-related variables were effective in influencing women’s intention to seek counseling on pregnancy-related anxiety. These findings provide valuable insights for healthcare providers to design, implement, and evaluate effective interventions aimed at reducing pregnancy anxiety based on TPB.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Journal of Midwifery and Reproductive Health
Volume 14, Issue 1
January 2026
Pages 5277-5285

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