The Effect of Primigravida Pregnant Women's Spiritual Orientation on Their Childbirth Self-Efficacy Perceptions: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study.

Background: Spirituality is an important aspect of health that can provide the individual with hope and relaxation along with meaning in life. Spirituality has an antistress effect during pregnancy.

Aim: The study was conducted to examine the effect of primiparous pregnant women's spiritual orientation on their childbirth self-efficacy perceptions.

Methods: A correlational survey model was used in the study. The research was conducted in a maternity hospital in eastern Türkiye between February and August 2021. 262 pregnant women who met the research criteria were included in the study. Collecting the data were used, Descriptive Information Form, Spiritual Orientation Scale, and Childbirth Self-Efficacy Inventory.

Results: The mean spiritual orientation score of the pregnant women was 104.52 ± 9.95, and the mean childbirth self-efficacy total score was 253.10 ± 32.32. A significant positive relationship (r = 0.158, P = 0.011) was found between spiritual orientation and childbirth self-efficacy. Spiritual orientation significantly and positively predicted childbirth self-efficacy (β = 0.15, P < 0.05). Spiritual orientation explains 2.5% of the total variance in childbirth self-efficacy perception (R2= 0.025, adjusted R2= 0.021, F = 6.624, P < 0.05).

Conclusion: In pregnant women, spiritual orientation increases childbirth self-efficacy. It is of great importance to consider and support spirituality in improving pregnant women's childbirth self-efficacy.