The Effects of Social Support on Pregnant Women's Choice of Delivery Method: Application of an Expanded Theory of Planned Behavior

Abstract

Objectives: The theory of planned behavior (TPB) has been used in pregnant women’s choice of delivery method and other health-related behaviors. This study extended TPB to predict the role of social support in pregnant women’s choice of delivery method. Materials and Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted on pregnant women referred to Fatimah hospital in Hamadan, Iran, from 2015 to 2016. A total of 206 nulliparous pregnant women, who referred to Fatimah hospital, completed a self-report questionnaire including measures of intentions, attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control and social support. These women were followed up until the end of their pregnancy. Results: On the basis of structural equation modeling, adding social support variable improved the indices of the model slightly, but this variable cannot be regarded as a predictor of behavior. A gap between intention and behavior and other factors together with social factor may be the reason. The perceived behavioral control of the individuals was a signifcantly effective predictor for selecting the type of delivery. Conclusions: Attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavior control, and social support were distinguished as signifcant predictors of the choice of delivery type. Therefore, it seems that designing an intervention with emphasis and focus on making changes in these variables and considering different dimensions of social support can increase people’s intention towards natural delivery by providing facilities in the childbirth environment.

Keywords

• Social support
• Theory of planned behavior
• Women"s choice of delivery method