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:: Volume 34, Issue 1 (3-2026) ::
Journal of Ilam University of Medical Sciences 2026, 34(1): 58-71 Back to browse issues page
The relationship between quality of life and pregnancy anxiety with the mediation of childbirth self-efficacy and social support
Mahboubeh Tavangar Dehghan1 , Sheida Sodagar *2 , Anvar Sadat Nayebinia3
1- Dept of Psychology, Ro.C., Islamic Azad University, Roudehen, Iran
2- Dept of Health Psychology, Ka.C, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran , sh.sodagar@iau.ac.ir
3- Dept of Midwifery, Ka.C, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran
Abstract:   (409 Views)
Introduction: Pregnancy is accompanied by physiological and psychological changes that can affect mothers’ quality of life and anxiety levels. Examining mediating factors such as childbirth self-efficacy and social support can help identify effective strategies to improve maternal mental health. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the relationship between quality of life and pregnancy anxiety with the mediating role of childbirth self-efficacy and social support and to test the fit of a correlation model among these variables.
Materials & Methods: This descriptive-correlational study was conducted on 200 pregnant women who were referred to Shohada-ye Gomnam Comprehensive Health Center, Shohada-ye Golzar Comprehensive Health Center, and Agh-Tappeh Comprehensive Health Center of Karaj in 2025. Participants were selected through convenience sampling and completed a demographic information form along with standardized questionnaires, including pregnancy anxiety, quality of life, childbirth self-efficacy, and perceived social support. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation, structural equation modeling, and AMOS-24 software.
Results:  The results showed that there was a positive and significant relationship between quality of life, childbirth self-efficacy, and perceived social support. In contrast, pregnancy anxiety had a negative and significant relationship with these three variables. Quality of life directly reduced pregnancy anxiety (β=-0.542, p=0.001). Also, perceived social support (β=-0.226, p=0.010) and childbirth self-efficacy (β=-0.273, p=0.001) were also directly related to reducing pregnancy anxiety. In addition, quality of life also indirectly reduced pregnancy anxiety through increasing perceived social support (β=-0.136, p=0.001) and childbirth self-efficacy (β=-0.100, p=0.001). The proposed model also had a good fit.
Conclusion:  Based on these findings, it can be concluded that childbirth self-efficacy and perceived social support serve as effective mediators in the relationship between quality of life and pregnancy anxiety.
Keywords: pregnancy, anxiety, self-efficacy, social support, quality of life
Full-Text [PDF 654 kb]   (222 Downloads)    
Editorial Note: Research | Subject: obstetrics and gynecology
Received: 2025/12/1 | Accepted: 2026/02/16 | Published: 2026/03/25
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Tavangar Dehghan M, Sodagar S, Nayebinia A S. The relationship between quality of life and pregnancy anxiety with the mediation of childbirth self-efficacy and social support. J. Ilam Uni. Med. Sci. 2026; 34 (1) :58-71
URL: http://sjimu.medilam.ac.ir/article-1-8852-en.html
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Volume 34, Issue 1 (3-2026) Back to browse issues page
مجله دانشگاه علوم پزشکی ایلام Journal of Ilam University of Medical Sciences
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