The Relationship Between Nursing Students’ Perception of Obstetric Violence, Pre-Pregnancy Fear of Childbirth, and Moral Sensitivity: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: Nursing students’ perceptions of obstetric violence and moral sensitivity can affect their pre-pregnancy fear of childbirth levels. This study was conducted to examine the relationship between nursing students’ moral sensitivity, perception of obstetric violence, and pre-pregnancy fear of childbirth.

Methods: The research was designed as a cross-sectional study. This study was conducted between November 1, 2024, and November 15, 2024, with the participation of 315 nursing students. Data were collected face-to-face using the Personal Information Form, Pre-pregnancy Fear of Childbirth Scale, Obstetric Violence Perception Scale, and Moral Sensitivity Questionnaire (MSQ). Ethical committee approval and institutional permission were obtained before starting the study. Parametric data were analyzed using t-tests and one-way ANOVA, while nonparametric tests were analyzed using the Mann–Whitney U test and Kruskal–Wallis test. Pearson correlation analysis and linear regression analysis were also conducted. Statistical significance was set at p  < 0.05.

Results: The average age of the students included in the study was 21.67 ± 1.37, with 50.5% being 4th-year students, 79.7% being female, and 66% choosing nursing as their profession voluntarily. It was determined that 66% of the participants preferred vaginal birth, 38.1% had previously heard the term obstetric violence, 18.1% had witnessed someone being subjected to obstetric violence, and 89.2% thought that nurses or midwives needed communication knowledge and skills. A weak correlation was found between the Pre-pregnancy Fear of Childbirth Scale and the Obstetric Violence Perception Scale (r = 0.134, p = 0.018). It was also determined that the predictor of pre-pregnancy fear of childbirth was the students’ perception of obstetric violence (R = 0.170, R² = 0.028, p = 0.013).

Conclusion: The study concluded that the perception of obstetric violence is a predictor of pre-pregnancy fear of childbirth. Additionally, a negative and weak relationship was found between students’ moral sensitivity scores and ‘intrapartum mistreatment.