The effect of group counseling based on motivational interview on the motivation of childbearing in the female students of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences

Reproductive motivations are important factors in childbearing. The present study aimed to determine the effect of group counseling based on motivational interview on the motivation of childbearing in female students.

This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 70 eligible single female students studying at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran, who passed the course of family and population knowledge, and randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups. The intervention group received three 60-90 minutes sessions of weekly group counselling consisting of 10-12 individuals as well as virtual counselling through webinar, based on motivational interview. Data collection tools included a questionnaire on demographic data, Miller Childbearing Questionnaire and the Reproductive Preference Questionnaire, which were completed on a self-report basis before, immediately and four weeks after the intervention. Data was analyzed using independent t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, paired t-test, Chi-square and Fisher's exact test.

Before the intervention, the mean total score of positive and negative motivation of childbearing in female students was not statistically significant in the two groups. After counseling intervention, the score of positive motivation of childbearing increased (P<0.001), whereas, the total score of negative motivation (P<0.001) decreased, significantly, in the intervention group compared to the control group.

Group counseling based on motivational interview was effective on promoting the motivation of childbearing in female students. Therefore, it is suggested that the present counseling intervention be commonly used in order to promote the motivation of childbearing in female students.