Volume 25, Issue 98 (9-2026)
QJCR 2026, 25(98): 34-4 |
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Saberi N, Nodehi D, Salami A. Psychological Predictors of Childbearing Intention in Couples: A Systematic Review. QJCR 2026; 25 (98) : 1
URL: http://irancounseling.ir/journal/article-1-2363-en.html
URL: http://irancounseling.ir/journal/article-1-2363-en.html
Corresponding Author),PhD of counselng, Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Life style institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences., Tehran, Iran. davud.nodehi@gmail.com
Abstract: (1130 Views)
Aim: Childbearing is a key component of demographic change and an important element of sustainable development, particularly in countries experiencing below-replacement fertility. In Iran, declining fertility has led to the adoption of new policies aimed at supporting population growth. Accordingly, this study aimed to systematically identify and categorize the psychological predictors associated with childbearing intention based on studies conducted over the past decade. ▌Methods: This systematic review included Persian- and English-language studies published between 2016 and 2026 on psychological predictors of childbearing intention. PubMed, Scopus, SID, and Magiran were systematically searched using combinations of keywords related to childbearing intention and psychological factors. Quantitative and qualitative studies relevant to psychological factors associated with childbearing were considered eligible. The search, screening, and final selection of studies were conducted independently by two reviewers. Of 402 initially identified records, 38 studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the final review. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. ▌Findings: The 38 included studies yielded two broad categories and 12 subcategories of psychological factors associated with childbearing intention. Factors associated with increased childbearing intention included positive attitudes and norms toward parenthood, perceived self-efficacy, marital satisfaction and emotional support, facilitating personality characteristics, identity-related motives, and positive emotions. Factors associated with decreased childbearing intention included negative attitudes and emotions, future and parenting anxiety, dysfunctional beliefs, individualistic orientations, psychological uncertainty, inhibiting personality characteristics, and negative schemas. Overall, factors associated with reduced childbearing intention appeared more prominent across the reviewed studies. ▌Conclusions: Psychological factors play an important role in couples’ childbearing intentions. Positive attitudes toward parenthood, self-efficacy, marital satisfaction, and emotional support may facilitate childbearing intention, whereas future anxiety, dysfunctional beliefs, negative emotions, and individualistic orientations may inhibit it. These findings underscore the importance of addressing cognitive and emotional factors alongside socioeconomic considerations. Psychological and educational interventions aimed at reducing future anxiety and dysfunctional beliefs while strengthening self-efficacy and positive attitudes toward childbearing may be useful in informing counseling programs and evidence-based population policies
Article number: 1
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Family Counseling
Received: 2026/04/27 | Accepted: 2026/06/28 | Published: 2026/09/22
Received: 2026/04/27 | Accepted: 2026/06/28 | Published: 2026/09/22
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