Fear of childbirth and its relationship with anxiety and depression among Iranian fathers: a descriptive study.

IF 1.6 4区心理学 Q2 PSYCHOLOGY, MULTIDISCIPLINARY

Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology Pub Date : 2025-06-01 Epub Date: 2023-09-14 DOI:10.1080/02646838.2023.2256785

Fatemeh Rashidi, Mojgan Mirghafourvand, Jamileh Malakouti

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Introduction: In addition to mothers, fathers may find the perinatal period difficult and complicated and experience a wide variety of emotions, such as fear, anxiety and depression. These emotional changes can adversely affect a father's relationships with his infant and wife. This descriptive study aims to investigate the fear of childbirth in fathers during pregnancy and explore its relationship with anxiety and depression.

Methods: A total of 302 husbands of pregnant women participated in this descriptive study through the cluster random sampling method. The data collection tools were the sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics questionnaire, Paternal Fear of Childbirth Scale, Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale.

Results: The mean (±SD) of paternal fear of childbirth score was 48.39 (±14.10) within the possible 17-85 range. According to Pearson correlation test results, fear of childbirth had significant direct correlations with depression (P < 0.001; r = 0.47), state anxiety (P < 0.001; r = 0.60) and trait anxiety (P < 0.001; r = 0.51). The adjusted general linear model results indicated that an increase in fear of childbirth score significantly increased depression (β = 0.18; 95% CI: 0.13 to 0.22; P < 0.001), state anxiety (β = 0.45; 95% CI: 0.38 to 0.53; P < 0.001) and trait anxiety (β = 0.35; 95% CI: 0.27 to 0.42; P < 0.001) scores obtained from participants.

Conclusion: It is recommended to develop comprehensive programmes to screen fathers for fear of childbirth and any other psychological problems, such as depression and anxiety, to implement appropriate preventive and therapeutic interventions.

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伊朗父亲对分娩的恐惧及其与焦虑和抑郁的关系：一项描述性研究。

导读：除了母亲，父亲可能会发现围产期困难和复杂，并经历各种各样的情绪，如恐惧、焦虑和抑郁。这些情绪变化会对父亲与孩子和妻子的关系产生不利影响。本研究旨在探讨父亲在怀孕期间对分娩的恐惧，并探讨其与焦虑和抑郁的关系。方法：采用整群随机抽样的方法，对302名孕妇的丈夫进行描述性研究。数据收集工具为社会人口学和产科特征问卷、父亲分娩恐惧量表、Spielberger状态-特质焦虑量表和爱丁堡产后抑郁量表。结果：在17 ~ 85的可能范围内，父亲分娩恐惧得分的平均值（±SD）为48.39（±14.10）分。Pearson相关检验结果显示，分娩恐惧与抑郁（P r = 0.47）、状态焦虑（P r = 0.60）、特质焦虑（P r = 0.51）有显著的直接相关。调整后的一般线性模型结果显示，分娩恐惧得分的增加显著增加了抑郁(β = 0.18；95% CI: 0.13 ~ 0.22；结论：建议制定全面的方案，筛查父亲是否害怕分娩和任何其他心理问题，如抑郁和焦虑，以实施适当的预防和治疗干预。

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来源期刊

Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology PSYCHOLOGY, MULTIDISCIPLINARY-

CiteScore

6.80

自引率

8.00%

发文量

期刊介绍： The Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology reports and reviews outstanding research on psychological, behavioural, medical and social aspects of human reproduction, pregnancy and infancy. Medical topics focus on obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics and psychiatry. The growing work in relevant aspects of medical communication and medical sociology are also covered. Relevant psychological work includes developmental psychology, clinical psychology, social psychology, behavioural medicine, psychology of women and health psychology. Research into psychological aspects of midwifery, health visiting and nursing is central to the interests of the Journal. The Journal is of special value to those concerned with interdisciplinary issues. As a result, the Journal is of particular interest to those concerned with fundamental processes in behaviour and to issues of health promotion and service organization.