Predictors for intention to avoid childbirth among Korean adult women of childbearing age

This study explored the psychological factors related to the intention to avoid childbirth among Korean adult women of childbearing age. The study verified predictive models for this intention using psychological variables and demographic profiles to provide useful information and knowledge for further studies and interventions. The participants were 400 Korean women of childbearing age, aged 18–45 years. The predictive models were verified using stepwise regression and decision tree analyses. The results revealed that neuroticism, extraversion, agreeableness, behavioral activation system (BAS), behavioral inhibition system (BIS), stress, hardiness, life satisfaction, and expectations for the future were significantly correlated with the intention to avoid childbirth among Korean adult women of childbearing age. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that neuroticism accounted for the greatest variance in the intention to avoid childbirth. Neuroticism, life satisfaction, drive, expectations for the future, and tenacity accounted for approximately 16.5% of the variance in women’s intentions to avoid childbirth in young adulthood. The decision tree model predicting the intention to avoid childbirth included life satisfaction, extraversion, witnessing mothers’ difficulties raising children, religion, and neuroticism. These findings suggest that psychological variables such as neuroticism and life satisfaction may play a more important role in Korean young adult women’s intention to avoid childbirth.