The Effect of Couples' Participation in Childbirth Preparation Education on Pregnant Women's Perceived Spousal Support, Fear of Childbirth, and Self-EfficacyNCT07123623
The Effect of Couples' Participation in Childbirth Preparation Education on Pregnant Women's Perceived Spousal Support, Fear of Childbirth, and Self-Efficacy
An observational study of The Effect of Couples' Participation in Childbirth Preparation Education on Pregnant Women's Perceived Spousal Support, Fear of Childbirth, and Self-Efficacy, run by Atlas University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
Fear of childbirth can be defined as approaching the process of giving birth with fear and anxiety. The aim of prenatal education is to help expectant mothers develop positive feelings towards childbirth and to foster a sense of security. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 50 years, women only
- Conditions the study is for
- The Effect of Couples' Participation in Childbirth Preparation Education on Pregnant Women's Perceived Spousal Support, Fear of Childbirth, and Self-Efficacy
- How many people
- 102 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 9 Sep 2024to 25 Sep 2025
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 50 years
- Women only
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Study population: Expectant mothers over the age of 18 who have completed their 20th week of pregnancy and have applied to the hospital where the study will be conducted.
Who may be able to join
- Having applied to the specified institution within the study period
- Willingness to participate in the study
- Having at least a primary school education
- Pregnant women over the age of 18
- Being over the 20th week of pregnancy
- Having given birth vaginally at least once (for the multiparous group)
- Having a singleton pregnancy
Who cannot join
- Those who do not consent to participate in the study
- Pregnant women with a gestational age of less than 20 weeks
- Individuals with communication impairments
- Individuals with sensory-perceptual disorders
- Individuals with any psychiatric illness
- Pregnant women under the age of 18
- Pregnant women who have not completed at least primary school education.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Atlas Universty
Istanbul, Istanbul, 34408
Melek Koçer, Master Student, +90 505 3756951, melek0179@hotmail.com
About this study
Fear of childbirth can be defined as approaching the process of giving birth with fear and anxiety. The aim of prenatal education is to help expectant mothers develop positive feelings towards childbirth and to foster a sense of security.
- Keywords
- Childbirth Preparation Training, Father Involvement, Fear of Childbirth, Partner Support, Childbirth Self-Efficacy.
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Mothers who have not received prenatal education | Not described | |
| Expectant mothers undergoing childbirth preparation training | Not described | |
| Expectant parents undergoing childbirth preparation training | Not described |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Spousal Support Scale(SSS),
The aim of this study is to determine the effect of couples' participation in childbirth preparation education on pregnant women's perceived spousal support, fear of childbirth, and self-efficacy. Based on the scales used, it is expected that as pregnant women's fear of childbirth decreases, their perceived spousal support will increase.
H2: Couples' participation in childbirth preparation education has an effect on perceived spousal support.
The Spousal Support Scale (SSS), developed to assess the level of support between partners, consists of a total of 27 items. The scale is a 3-point Likert-type measurement tool, with items scored as "true for me" = 3, "partly true" = 2, and "not true for me" = 1. Items 10, 20, and 24 are reverse scored. The total score that can be obtained from the scale ranges between 27 and 81, with higher scores indicating higher levels of spousal support.
Measured: A training program consisting of 4 weeks
Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire Version A
The aim of this study is to determine the effect of couples' participation in childbirth preparation classes on pregnant women's fear of childbirth, perceived spousal support, and childbirth self-efficacy. According to the scales used, it is expected that as pregnant women's fear of childbirth decreases, their perceived spousal support and childbirth self-efficacy will increase.
H1: Couples' participation in childbirth preparation classes together with pregnant women has an effect on the pregnant women's fear of childbirth.
The Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire (W-DEQ) is a 33-item scale. Responses are rated on a 6-point Likert scale ranging from 0 to 5, where 0 means "completely" and 5 means "not at all." The minimum possible score on the scale is 0 and the maximum is 165, with higher total scores indicating higher levels of fear. The W-DEQ is used to obtain a fear score related to childbirth.
Measured: A training program consisting of 4 weeks
Birth Self-Efficacy Scale Short Form (BSES-SF32)
The aim of this study is to determine the effect of couples' participation in childbirth preparation education on pregnant women's perceived spousal support, fear of childbirth, and self-efficacy. Based on the scales used, it is expected that as pregnant women's fear of childbirth decreases, their childbirth self-efficacy will increase.
H3: Couples' participation in childbirth preparation classes has an effect on pregnant women's childbirth self-efficacy.
The scale was developed to measure women's self-efficacy regarding the childbirth process. It consists of 32 items and two sub-dimensions: efficacy expectancy and outcome expectancy. Scores from the subscales range between 16 and 160. Higher scores on the subscales indicate higher efficacy and outcome expectancy related to childbirth. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the scale is 0.90.
Measured: A training program consisting of 4 weeks
Spousal Support Scale(SSS), The Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire Version A (W-DEQ), Birth Self-Efficacy Scale Short Form (BSES-SF32)
ChatGPT:
The aim of this study is to determine the effect of couples' participation in childbirth preparation education on pregnant women's perceived spousal support, fear of childbirth, and childbirth self-efficacy. Based on the scales used, it is expected that as pregnant women's fear of childbirth decreases, their perceived spousal support and childbirth self-efficacy will increase.
Measured: A training program consisting of 4 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted14 Aug 2025
- Study start9 Sep 2024
- Primary completion30 Aug 2025 (estimated)
- Study completion25 Sep 2025 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for The Effect of Couples' Participation in Childbirth Preparation Education on Pregnant Women's Perceived Spousal Support, Fear of Childbirth, and Self-EfficacyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Case-control
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 102 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Atlas University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07123623
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Atlas Universty
- Status last verified
- Feb 2025
- First submitted
- 9 Apr 2025
- Last updated
- 14 Aug 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Publications
Aguilera-Martin A, Galvez-Lara M, Blanco-Ruiz M, Garcia-Torres F. Psychological, educational, and alternative interventions for reducing fear of childbirth in pregnant women: A systematic review. J Clin Psychol. 2021 Mar;77(3):525-555. doi: 10.1002/jclp.23071. Epub 2020 Oct 20.
PubMed 33078851
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 14 Aug 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of Couples' Participation in Childbirth Preparation Education on Pregnant Women's Perceived Spousal Support, Fear of Childbirth, and Self-Efficacy
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07123623
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- Atlas Universty
- Keywords
- Childbirth Preparation Training, Father Involvement, Fear of Childbirth, Partner Support, Childbirth Self-Efficacy.
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 102 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Atlas UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 9 Sep 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Aug 2025 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 25 Sep 2025 (estimated)
- First posted
- 14 Aug 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Fear of childbirth can be defined as approaching the process of giving birth with fear and anxiety. The aim of prenatal education is to help expectant mothers develop positive feelings towards childbirth and to foster a sense of security.
Study design
- Observational model
- Case-control
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Mothers who have not received prenatal education | – | – |
| Expectant mothers undergoing childbirth preparation training | – | – |
| Expectant parents undergoing childbirth preparation training | – | – |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 50 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
- Study population
- Expectant mothers over the age of 18 who have completed their 20th week of pregnancy and have applied to the hospital where the study will be conducted.
Key inclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Having applied to the specified institution within the study period
- Willingness to participate in the study
- Having at least a primary school education
- Pregnant women over the age of 18
- Being over the 20th week of pregnancy
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Those who do not consent to participate in the study
- Pregnant women with a gestational age of less than 20 weeks
- Individuals with communication impairments
- Individuals with sensory-perceptual disorders
- Individuals with any psychiatric illness
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Primary outcome
Spousal Support Scale(SSS),
Time frame: A training program consisting of 4 weeks
The aim of this study is to determine the effect of couples' participation in childbirth preparation education on pregnant women's perceived spousal support, fear of childbirth, and self-efficacy. Based on the scales used, it is expected that as pregnant women's fear of childbirth decreases, their perceived spousal support will increase. H2: Couples' participation in childbirth preparation education has an effect on perceived spousal support. The Spousal Support Scale (SSS), developed to assess the level of support between partners, consists of a total of 27 items. The scale is a 3-point Likert-type measurement tool, with items scored as "true for me" = 3, "partly true" = 2, and "not true for me" = 1. Items 10, 20, and 24 are reverse scored. The total score that can be obtained from the scale ranges between 27 and 81, with higher scores indicating higher levels of spousal support.
Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire Version A
Time frame: A training program consisting of 4 weeks
The aim of this study is to determine the effect of couples' participation in childbirth preparation classes on pregnant women's fear of childbirth, perceived spousal support, and childbirth self-efficacy. According to the scales used, it is expected that as pregnant women's fear of childbirth decreases, their perceived spousal support and childbirth self-efficacy will increase. H1: Couples' participation in childbirth preparation classes together with pregnant women has an effect on the pregnant women's fear of childbirth. The Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire (W-DEQ) is a 33-item scale. Responses are rated on a 6-point Likert scale ranging from 0 to 5, where 0 means "completely" and 5 means "not at all." The minimum possible score on the scale is 0 and the maximum is 165, with higher total scores indicating higher levels of fear. The W-DEQ is used to obtain a fear score related to childbirth.
Birth Self-Efficacy Scale Short Form (BSES-SF32)
Time frame: A training program consisting of 4 weeks
The aim of this study is to determine the effect of couples' participation in childbirth preparation education on pregnant women's perceived spousal support, fear of childbirth, and self-efficacy. Based on the scales used, it is expected that as pregnant women's fear of childbirth decreases, their childbirth self-efficacy will increase. H3: Couples' participation in childbirth preparation classes has an effect on pregnant women's childbirth self-efficacy. The scale was developed to measure women's self-efficacy regarding the childbirth process. It consists of 32 items and two sub-dimensions: efficacy expectancy and outcome expectancy. Scores from the subscales range between 16 and 160. Higher scores on the subscales indicate higher efficacy and outcome expectancy related to childbirth. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the scale is 0.90.
Spousal Support Scale(SSS), The Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire Version A (W-DEQ), Birth Self-Efficacy Scale Short Form (BSES-SF32)
Time frame: A training program consisting of 4 weeks
ChatGPT: The aim of this study is to determine the effect of couples' participation in childbirth preparation education on pregnant women's perceived spousal support, fear of childbirth, and childbirth self-efficacy. Based on the scales used, it is expected that as pregnant women's fear of childbirth decreases, their perceived spousal support and childbirth self-efficacy will increase.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 14 Aug 2025.
- Background: PubMed 33078851Aguilera-Martin A, Galvez-Lara M, Blanco-Ruiz M, Garcia-Torres F. Psychological, educational, and alternative interventions for reducing fear of childbirth in pregnant women: A systematic review. J Clin Psychol. 2021 Mar;77(3):525-555. doi: 10.1002/jclp.23071. Epub 2020 Oct 20.
- Related InfoLink provided by the sponsor.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of The Effect of Couples' Participation in Childbirth Preparation Education on Pregnant Women's Perceived Spousal Support, Fear of Childbirth, and Self-Efficacy, run by Atlas University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 7 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 14 Aug 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Melek Koçer, Masters student (+90 505 375 69 51, melek0179@hotmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Spousal Support Scale(SSS), (time frame: A training program consisting of 4 weeks). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07123623, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 14 Aug 2025.