Beyond demographics: the role of family conditions in shaping childbearing attitudes among married women in Iran.

BACKGROUND

Declining fertility rates have emerged as a major demographic and socioeconomic challenge worldwide, including in Iran. Understanding the role of family conditions in shaping women's reproductive attitudes is essential for informing effective fertility-related policies and interventions.This study aimed to examine the relationship between family conditions and attitudes toward childbearing among married women in Sarab, Iran.

METHODS

Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Family Conditions Questionnaire, and a researcher-developed Attitudes Toward Childbearing Questionnaire. The researcher-developed questionnaire demonstrated good validity and reliability (overall Cronbach's alpha = 0.886), while the Family Conditions Questionnaire had previously established psychometric properties. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27 using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, independent t-tests, Pearson's correlation, and hierarchical regression analysis.

RESULTS

Participants had a mean age of 31.4 years. Housewives reported more positive attitudes toward childbearing compared to employed women (p < 0.001). Significant differences were also observed across educational and financial groups (p < 0.001). Family conditions were strongly correlated with childbearing attitudes (r = 0.833, p < 0.01). Regression analysis showed that while demographic variables explained 13.1% of the variance in attitudes, inclusion of family conditions increased explained variance to 70.4%. Among family dimensions, educational (β = 0.270), economic (β = 0.266), and parenting interactions (β = 0.220) were the strongest predictors.

CONCLUSION

Family conditions, particularly the educational and economic dimensions, were more strongly associated with married women's attitudes toward childbearing than demographic characteristics. In addition, favorable family conditions attenuated the statistical associations between education, employment status, and childbearing attitudes in the regression models. These findings highlight the importance of considering family dynamics, spousal communication, and intergenerational support when developing policies and counseling strategies aimed at promoting positive attitudes toward childbearing in Iran.