The Effect of Counseling Based on Motivational Interviewing on Childbearing Intention in Single-Child Women: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Abstract

Background: Childbearing is the key factor influencing the demographic pyramid of communities. Today, couples' reduced desire to have children or delay it has exerted many adverse effects on various social dimensions. Thus, this study determined the effect of counseling based on motivational interviewing on childbearing intention in single-child women.

Materials and methods: This parallel randomized clinical trial was conducted between January 2023 and May 2024 at Rahmat Abad Comprehensive Health Center in Yazd, Iran. Ninety single-child women were randomized to intervention and control groups. The data collection tools included the Child-bearing Motivation Questionnaire and the Demographic Information Questionnaire, which were completed before, immediately after, and 2 months after the intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS 16, independent t-tests, analysis of variance with repeated measures, and chi-square test.

Results: There was a significant difference in the score of intention to childbearing between the intervention and control groups immediately (t ₈₈ = 11.435, p < 0.001) and 2 months after intervention (t ₈₈ = 13.591, p < 0.001), and the mean score of the intention to childbearing in each time was greater in intervention group compared to the control group. Furthermore, there was a significant difference in the dimensions of intention to childbearing (positive motivation for childbearing, fertility preferences, fertility concerns, and social beliefs) immediately (p < 0.001) and 2 months after the intervention (p < 0.001) between the intervention and control groups.

Conclusions: Considering the effectiveness of counseling based on the motivational interview approach, it is suggested that this method be implemented in health centers for single-child mothers to help increase childbearing.