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Background & Aim: The delay in childbearing is associated with a reduction in the total fertility rate and increase in the risk of pregnancy at an older age. Social learning theory has mostly been used to clarify the interaction between personal and environmental factors and behavior. In order to understand the factors underlying delayed childbearing, the present study aimed to predict the factors affecting the delay in first childbearing among young married women using the Bandura’s social learning theory.
Methods & Materials: This cross-sectional correlational study was conducted on 284 married women referred to the health centers and OB/GYN clinics of teaching hospitals in Mashhad in 2015-2016. The data collecting tool was comprised of five questionnaires regarding to personal and social factors. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, Pearson and Spearman correlation co-efficient, linear regression and multivariate regression using the SPSS software version 16.
Results: The mean age of participants was 27.99±4.2, and the mean interval between marriage and the first child was 3.22±1.96, which was 1.25 years more than that of ideal spacing between marriage and childbirth. Multiple linear regressions showed negative and positive fertility motivations, perceived maternal self-efficacy, martial relationship, the number of sisters and childbearing-related religious beliefs had a significant effect on the interval between marriage and first childbirth (P<0.01).
Conclusion: The individual and environmental factors predicting delay in the first reproductive behavior were identified using the Bandura's social learning theory. The both factors should be considered in designing intervention programs for increasing fertility rate.