Nasrin Matinnia
Islamic Azad University, Iran
Title: Further evidence of psychological factors underlying choice of elective caesarean delivery (ECD) by primigravidae
Biography
Biography: Nasrin Matinnia
Abstract
Objective: Requests for elective caesarean delivery (ECD) have increased in Iran. While some sociodemographic and fear-related factors have been linked with this choice, psychological factors such as self-esteem, stress, and health beliefs are under-researched.
Methods: A total of 342 primigravidae (mean age=25 years) completed questionnaires covering psychological dimensions such as self-esteem, perceived stress, marital relationship quality, perceived social support, and relevant health-related beliefs.
Results: Of the sample, 214 (62.6%) chose to undergo ECD rather than vaginal delivery (VD). This choice was associated with lower self-esteem, greater perceived stress, belief in higher susceptibility to problematic birth and barriers to an easy birth, along with lower perceived severity of ECD, fewer perceived benefits from VD, lower self-efficacy and a lower feeling of preparedness. No differences were found for marital relationship quality or perceived social support.
Conclusion: The pattern suggests that various psychological factors such as self-esteem, self-efficacy and perceived stress, underpin the decision by primigravidae to have an ECD.