Mitigating Childbearing Anxiety in Couples: The Impact of Emotionally Focused Training

Abstract

Background: Delayed childbearing is a critical demographic concern that is often exacerbated by anxiety about childbearing. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of emotionally focused training (EFT) on different dimensions of childbearing anxiety in couples. Methods: A quasi-experimental study with a control group and pretest, posttest, and follow-up assessments was conducted in Isfahan in 2025. Forty couples were recruited via convenience sampling and randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 20 couples) or a control group (n = 20 couples). The intervention group attended eight weekly 90-minute EFT sessions, whereas the control group received no concurrent intervention. Data were collected using the Pregnancy-Related Anxiety Questionnaire and analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance. Results: Participants in the intervention group showed reductions in overall childbearing anxiety and in each assessed dimension: fear of childbirth, concerns about having a child with a physical or developmental disability, marital strain, emotional instability, and disruption of daily routines. These improvements persisted at follow-up, with large effect sizes suggesting that the benefits of EFT may be sustained. Conclusions: Emotionally focused training appears to be a promising relational intervention for reducing childbearing anxiety. Integrating this approach into family counseling may facilitate healthier reproductive decision-making and support couples facing fertility challenges. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and assess behavioral outcomes.