Volume 7, Issue 4 (December 2025)
IEEPJ 2025, 7(4): 1-14 |
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Fathi E, Heidari H, Davudi H. (2025). Prediction of Childbearing Intention Based on Personality Traits and Marital Satisfaction in Married Couples. IEEPJ. 7(4), 1-14.
URL: http://ieepj.hormozgan.ac.ir/article-1-1052-en.html
URL: http://ieepj.hormozgan.ac.ir/article-1-1052-en.html
1- PhD Student in Counseling, Faculty of Humanities, Khom.C., Islamic Azad University, Khomein, Iran
2- Department of Counseling, Faculty of Humanities, Khom.C., Islamic Azad University, Khomein, Iran ,Dr.h.hedari@Iau.ir
3- Department of Counseling, Faculty of Humanities, Khom.C., Islamic Azad University, Khomein, Iran
2- Department of Counseling, Faculty of Humanities, Khom.C., Islamic Azad University, Khomein, Iran ,
3- Department of Counseling, Faculty of Humanities, Khom.C., Islamic Azad University, Khomein, Iran
Abstract: (1301 Views)
Objective: The present study aimed to predict fertility intention among married couples based on personality traits and marital satisfaction. Given the continued decline in fertility rates in Iran and the growing importance of psychological and relational factors in reproductive decision-making, this research sought to clarify the relative contribution of individual and marital variables to fertility intentions.
Methods: This applied study employed a descriptive–survey and correlational design. The statistical population consisted of all married women and men residing in Khomein city in 2024. Using Cochran’s formula for an unlimited population, 384 participants were initially selected through simple random sampling, and data from 323 fully completed questionnaires were included in the final analysis. Data collection instruments comprised the ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Questionnaire, the Personality Traits Questionnaire developed by Bass et al. (1975), and the Fertility Intention Influencing Factors Questionnaire developed by Nokhai and Khajeh (2022), based on the Theory of Planned Behavior. The psychometric properties of all instruments had been previously established. Data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with the Partial Least Squares (PLS) approach via Smart PLS software.
Results: The findings demonstrated that personality traits and marital satisfaction exert significant and positive effects on fertility intention. Personality traits showed a strong direct influence on fertility intention, while marital satisfaction also had a significant predictive effect. In addition, marital satisfaction played a supportive role in shaping positive attitudes toward childbearing. The structural model exhibited strong explanatory power and acceptable overall fit.
Conclusions: The results suggest that fertility intention is shaped by a combination of psychological, marital, and contextual factors. Interventions aimed at strengthening marital relationships, enhancing mental well-being, and improving economic and social support systems may help promote fertility intentions among married couples.
Methods: This applied study employed a descriptive–survey and correlational design. The statistical population consisted of all married women and men residing in Khomein city in 2024. Using Cochran’s formula for an unlimited population, 384 participants were initially selected through simple random sampling, and data from 323 fully completed questionnaires were included in the final analysis. Data collection instruments comprised the ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Questionnaire, the Personality Traits Questionnaire developed by Bass et al. (1975), and the Fertility Intention Influencing Factors Questionnaire developed by Nokhai and Khajeh (2022), based on the Theory of Planned Behavior. The psychometric properties of all instruments had been previously established. Data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with the Partial Least Squares (PLS) approach via Smart PLS software.
Results: The findings demonstrated that personality traits and marital satisfaction exert significant and positive effects on fertility intention. Personality traits showed a strong direct influence on fertility intention, while marital satisfaction also had a significant predictive effect. In addition, marital satisfaction played a supportive role in shaping positive attitudes toward childbearing. The structural model exhibited strong explanatory power and acceptable overall fit.
Conclusions: The results suggest that fertility intention is shaped by a combination of psychological, marital, and contextual factors. Interventions aimed at strengthening marital relationships, enhancing mental well-being, and improving economic and social support systems may help promote fertility intentions among married couples.
Type of Study: Original |
Subject:
Evolutionary Psychology
Received: 2025/03/20 | Accepted: 2025/07/14 | Published: 2025/12/1
Received: 2025/03/20 | Accepted: 2025/07/14 | Published: 2025/12/1
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