Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing
CLINICAL RESEARCHFactors Influencing Women’s Decisions About Timing of Motherhood
Section snippets
Method
This study was conducted to inform a larger quantitative survey. The purpose of the larger study was to conduct a population‐based telephone survey to determine factors related to delayed childbearing and to assess whether women were aware of the risks. The joint university–health research ethics board approved the protocol. A convenience sample of women between 18 and 50 years in a large Western Canadian city was recruited. Through word of mouth, obstetrician clinics, parenting classes, and
Results
Themes emerging from the data are organized according to the ecologic framework (Bronfenbrenner, 1986) and include individual, familial, and societal factors (see Figure 1). While the specific themes are presented as discrete for purposes of the research, factors were invariably interconnected. Illustrative examples are provided in the women’s own words. Pseudonyms were selected by the researchers to protect women’s identities.
Discussion
Interviews with women with and without children, across the fertility life span, provide evidence that decisions about the timing of motherhood are influenced by multiple and complex interrelated factors. The findings are discussed according to the ecological framework, beginning with individual factors, followed by familial and societal factors.
Clearly, women in our study valued independence and worked to achieve it through education and career attainment. These findings are supported in other
Limitations
While an attempt was made to recruit a diverse group of women, participants were primarily well‐educated European‐Canadian women. Sample characteristics limit the transferability of findings to other populations and contexts. The specific manner in which spousal relationships exert their influence on women’s decisions is unclear. Additional research about the perspectives of male partners and their influences on decisions about the timing of motherhood is required.
Nurses caring for women across
Implications
Consistent with recommendations (Strobino, Grason, & Minkovitz, 2002), nursing practice guidelines need to acknowledge the influence of social contexts that affect women’s health generally, not just during pregnancy. Nurses caring for women across the fertility life span need to discuss childbearing plans and the impact of maternal age on fertility. Nurses need to be sensitive to women who chose early childbearing and recognize that they may feel out of sync in this generation. Women who
Acknowledgment
Suzanne Tough was funded by the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research.
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2021, Personality and Individual DifferencesCitation Excerpt :On the other hand, it has been shown that many women who have children do not display a significant difference in their psychological well-being in advanced adulthood when compared to those who do not have children (Beckman & Houser, 1982). In addition, there are many women without children who have a happy life (Benzies et al., 2006). In fact, parents who have negativity in their relationships with their children have higher levels of depression (Koropeckyj, 2002).