The Relationship between Childbearing Motivations and Fertility Preferences among Female University Students

Document Type : Original Research Article

Authors

1 MSc in Epidemiology, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2 a) PhD, Global and Women’s Health, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia b) Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

3 MSc in Midwifery, Department of midwifery, Asadabad School of Medical Sciences, Asadabad, Iran

4 MSc in Counseling in Midwifery, Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

5 PhD Student in Reproductive Health, Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

6 Associate Professor, Department of Biostatistics, School of Health, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

10.22038/jmrh.2024.72106.2110

Abstract

Background & aim: Motivation for childbearing precedes desires, the number of children, and timing of childbirth.. Consequently, alterations in motivations can influence individual desires and behaviors, especially in light of population growth policies and the importance of childbearing, making it crucial to understand fertility motivation. Therefore,  this study aimed to determine the relationship between childbearing motivations and fertility preferences among female university students.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from 2020 to 2021 on 220 single female students at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Convenience sampling was used.. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Miller Childbearing Questionnaire (1995), and the Miller Reproductive Preference Questionnaire (1995). Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and the Kruskal-Wallis testwith SPSS statistical software (version 16).
Results: The average age of students was 24.15±2.7, and their average desire to have children was 4.46±2.52 (on a scale of 1-10). There was a strong correlation between positive motivation of childbearing and fertility preferences (P<0.01), with an average desired number of children being 2.03±1.02. The study found a significant correlation (P<0.01) between the desired number of children and the desired birth time of the first child. Among the negative motivations for childbearing, fear of parenthood and challenges of childcare were significantly associated with a lower desire for childbearing (P<0.01).
Conclusion: The strong correlation between positive childbearing motivation and fertility preferences suggests that enhancing positive motivations among young individuals prior to marriage may contribute to improving fertility rates within the community.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Journal of Midwifery and Reproductive Health
Volume 14, Issue 1
January 2026
Pages 5226-5235

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