International Journal of Nursing Research

Objective This study aims to assess the level of fear of childbirth among expectant fathers and identify the influential factors. Methods Convenience sampling method was used to recruit participants from October 2023 to February 2024. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect basic information of the expectant parents. The fear of childbirth of expectant fathers and mothers were investigated via the Fathers Fear of Childbirth (FFCS), and Childbirth Attitude Questionnaire (CAQ), respectively. Moreover, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), multivariate linear regression and Pearsons correlation were conducted to analyze the influential factors of fathers fear of childbirth. Results Fear of childbirth among expectant fathers was generally at a high level. Lower age and unemployment status were the risk factors for the fear of childbirth among expectant fathers (β= -5.169, 95% CI: 0.026, 0.053, P<0.001; β=4.113, 95% CI: -0.020, 0.810, P=0.048, respectively). In addition, the expectant mothers’ fear of childbirth level were positively correlated with the expectant fathers (r=0.619, P<0.001). Conclusion Fear of childbirth among expectant fathers was at a high level. Attention should be paid to both spouses regarding fear of childbirth, especially to young and unemployed expectant fathers.

Expectant fathers; Fear of childbirth; Influential factors; Current status