The relationship of perceived social support, personality traits and self-esteem of the pregnant women with the fear of childbirth
Pelin Calpbinici, Füsun Terzioğlu, Gülten Koç
Abstract
This research was conducted to examine the relationship of perceived social support, personality traits, and self-esteem of pregnant women with fear of childbirth. The study was performed between April 15, 2016 and May 15, 2016 using face-to-face interviews with 128 pregnant women who were at 28-40 weeks of pregnancy. A negative correlation between the fear of childbirth and the levels of social support perceived by pregnant women and a positive correlation between the fear of childbirth and self-esteem were observed. Furthermore, a negative correlation between the fear of childbirth and extraversion, self-discipline, and openness to development and a positive correlation between the fear of childbirth and neurotic personality traits were noted. Hence, we propose that social support status, personality traits, and self-esteem of pregnant women should be viewed as risk factors for the fear of childbirth.