Factors Influencing Women’s Intention to Seek Counseling for Pregnancy-Related Anxiety: An Application of Theory of Planned Behavior

Background & aim: Pregnancy-related anxiety needs to be prevented and managed due to its side effects. Health-promoting behaviors can significantly contribute to the prevention of anxiety during pregnancy. Accordingly, this study aimed to identify factors predicting women’s intention to seek counseling for pregnancy-related anxiety using the theory of planned behavior (TPB).Methods: This predictive correlational study was conducted on ۲۰۰ pregnant women who visited healthcare centers in Sardasht, Northwest Iran during ۲۰۱۹ to ۲۰۲۰. Participants were selected using a stratified random sampling method. Data were collected through a valid and reliable four-part questionnaire which assessed participants’ characteristics, knowledge, TPB variables, and anxiety during pregnancy via the Pregnancy-Related Anxiety Questionnaire (PRAQ- R۲). The collected data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical tests including Pearson’s correlation coefficient and linear regression analysis in SPSS version ۲۳.Results: Data analysis showed that overall, TPB predicted ۵۸.۶% of the intention to seek counseling. Also it was found that constructs of TPB including attitude (β=۰.۱۵; p<۰.۰۱۹), subjective norms (β=۰.۳۱; p<۰.۰۰۱) and perceived behavioral control (β=۰.۲۱; p<۰.۰۴۷) had a significant effect on the intention to seek counseling.Conclusion: All TPB-related variables were effective in influencing women’s intention to seek counseling on pregnancy-related anxiety. These findings provide valuable insights for healthcare providers to design, implement, and evaluate effective interventions aimed at reducing pregnancy anxiety based on TPB.

کلیدواژه ها:

pregnancy ، Anxiety ، Theory of Planned Behavior Women ، Intention