Mitigating Childbearing Anxiety in Couples: The Impact of Emotionally Focused Training
| Author | Adeleh Kaveh Zadeh | en |
| Author | Ozra Etemadi | en |
| Author | Soraya Memar | en |
| Orcid | Adeleh Kaveh Zadeh [0009-0001-0188-5977] | en |
| Orcid | Ozra Etemadi [0000-0003-4767-6705] | en |
| Orcid | Soraya Memar [0000-0002-7786-6094] | en |
| Issued Date | 2026-10-31 | en |
| 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. | en |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.5812/zjrms-173424 | en |
| URI | https://brieflands.com/journals/zjrms/articles/173424 | en |
| Keyword | Couples Therapy | en |
| Keyword | Anxiety | en |
| Keyword | Reproductive Behavior | en |
| Keyword | Family Counseling | en |
| Keyword | Spouses | en |
| Publisher | Brieflands | en |
| Title | Mitigating Childbearing Anxiety in Couples: The Impact of Emotionally Focused Training | en |
| Type | Research Article | en |
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