Mapping intentions to adopt fertility protective behaviours: the role of couple congruence and the importance of relationship and fertility awareness
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
Standard
Mapping intentions to adopt fertility protective behaviours : the role of couple congruence and the importance of relationship and fertility awareness. / Pedro, Juliana; Fernandes, Joana; Schmidt, Lone; Costa, Maria E.; Martins, Mariana V.
In: Human Fertility, Vol. 25, No. 5, 2022.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
Harvard
APA
Vancouver
Author
Bibtex
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
T1 - Mapping intentions to adopt fertility protective behaviours
T2 - the role of couple congruence and the importance of relationship and fertility awareness
AU - Pedro, Juliana
AU - Fernandes, Joana
AU - Schmidt, Lone
AU - Costa, Maria E.
AU - Martins, Mariana V.
PY - 2022
Y1 - 2022
N2 - Several studies worldwide have shown that reproductive-aged people often have inadequate fertility awareness (FA). Since attitudes and health behaviours are influenced by the partner, there is a need for studies exploring the role of these influences on the individuals' adoption of fertility protective behaviours (FPB). This study explores the role of FA and relationship quality on couples' intention to adopt FPB. One hundred and twelve childless couples answered an online questionnaire about reproductive life plan, FA and intentions to adopt FPB. The results showed that couples were moderately congruent on their reproductive life plan. The female partners who reported higher female relationship quality and higher female willingness to undergo fertility treatments were more willing to adopt FPB. The male partners who had heightened FA also reported higher intention to adopt FPB. The influences of male and female FA, relationship quality and congruence on reproductive life plan were neither associated with couples' congruence on the intention to adopt FPB. Although the cross-sectional design restricts our ability to draw causal conclusions, these findings emphasize that future interventions should be targeted at couples and designed according to their expectations and reproductive desires.
AB - Several studies worldwide have shown that reproductive-aged people often have inadequate fertility awareness (FA). Since attitudes and health behaviours are influenced by the partner, there is a need for studies exploring the role of these influences on the individuals' adoption of fertility protective behaviours (FPB). This study explores the role of FA and relationship quality on couples' intention to adopt FPB. One hundred and twelve childless couples answered an online questionnaire about reproductive life plan, FA and intentions to adopt FPB. The results showed that couples were moderately congruent on their reproductive life plan. The female partners who reported higher female relationship quality and higher female willingness to undergo fertility treatments were more willing to adopt FPB. The male partners who had heightened FA also reported higher intention to adopt FPB. The influences of male and female FA, relationship quality and congruence on reproductive life plan were neither associated with couples' congruence on the intention to adopt FPB. Although the cross-sectional design restricts our ability to draw causal conclusions, these findings emphasize that future interventions should be targeted at couples and designed according to their expectations and reproductive desires.
KW - Couples
KW - fertility awareness
KW - reproductive life plan
KW - health behaviours
KW - relationship quality
KW - ASSISTED REPRODUCTION
KW - UNIVERSITY-STUDENTS
KW - DECISION-MAKING
KW - INFERTILITY
KW - ATTITUDES
KW - QUALITY
KW - LIFE
KW - INTERDEPENDENCE
KW - KNOWLEDGE
KW - FEMALE
U2 - 10.1080/14647273.2021.1960436
DO - 10.1080/14647273.2021.1960436
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 34348572
VL - 25
JO - Human Fertility
JF - Human Fertility
SN - 1464-7273
IS - 5
ER -
ID: 276229311