The relationship between personality characteristics and fear of childbirth: A descriptive study

• Published in: Archives of psychiatric nursing Vol. 35; no. 3; pp. 296 - 302
• Main Authors: Dursun, Eda, Kızılırmak, Aynur, Mucuk, Salime
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.06.2021
• Subjects: Fear of childbirth; Nursing; Personality traits; Pregnant woman; Pregnant woman; Fear of childbirth; Personality traits
• ISSN: 0883-9417; 1532-8228
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apnu.2020.09.018

It is emphasized that fear of childbirth is closely related to women's personality characteristics, anxiety levels, low self-esteem, low socialization, neuroticism, low extraversion, vulnerability. The study was conducted to determine the relationship between personality traits and fear of childbirth. This was a descriptive study. The study was carried out at the obstetrics policlinic of the research and training hospital. A sample of 853 women at the third trimester of their pregnancies completed the questionnaire. Data were collected using Questionnaire Form, Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Scale A version, Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Revised/Abbreviated Form. The median neuroticism score was 2.00 among those on a mild level of fear of childbirth, while it was 4.00 among those on a clinical level of fear of childbirth (p < 0.001). The median extraversion score of the pregnant women was 4.00 among those whose fear of childbirth scores were on a mild level, while it was 2.00 among those whose fear of childbirth scores were on a clinical level (p < 0.001). There was a positive correlation between the scores of fear of childbirth and the neuroticism, and a negative correlation between fear of childbirth and extraversion personality trait (p < 0.001). It was concluded that pregnant women who had neuroticism personality demonstrated a higher level of fear of childbirth whereas those who had extraversion personality demonstrated a lower level of fear of childbirth. •Personality characteristics affect the fear of childbirth.•Pregnant women with a personality characteristic of neuroticism lives more fear of childbirth.•Pregnant women with a personality characteristic of extraversion lives less fear of childbirth.