Further evidence of psychological factors underlying choice of elective cesarean delivery (ECD) by primigravidae
Objective: Requests for elective cesarean delivery (ECD) have increased in Iran. While some sociodemographic and fear-related factors have been linked with this choice, psychological factors such as self-esteem, stress, and health beliefs are under-researched. Methods: A total of 342 primigravidae (mean age = 25 years) completed questionnaires covering psychological dimensions such as self-esteem, perceived stress, marital relationship quality, perceived social support, and relevant health-related beliefs. Results: Of the sample, 214 (62.6%) chose to undergo ECD rather than vaginal delivery (VD). This choice was associated with lower self-esteem, greater perceived stress, belief in higher susceptibility to problematic birth and barriers to an easy birth, along with lower perceived severity of ECD, fewer perceived benefits from VD, lower self-efficacy and a lower feeling of preparedness. No differences were found for marital relationship quality or perceived social support. Conclusions: The pattern suggests that various psychological factors such as self-esteem, self-efficacy, and perceived stress underpin the decision by primigravidae to have an ECD.
Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
---|---|
Format: | Digital revista |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Associação Brasileira de Psiquiatria
2018
|
Online Access: | http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1516-44462018000100083 |
Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|