The Effect of Personality Types on Tokophobia and Self-efficacy in Pregnant Women

Tokophobia (fear of childbirth) is the most common reason why some women request an elective cesarean section. Among the involved factors in Tokophobia are personality types. In this study, the effects of personality types A, B and D on fear of delivery and self-efficacy of pain in pregnant women were investigated. The present study was a descriptive correlational prediction that was conducted in 1397 with 143 pregnant women referred to Shahid Dadbin and Etebari Health Centers in Kerman. Subjects were selected by available sampling. Data were gathered using personality type A, B and D test questionnaires, pain self-efficacy and attitude towards delivery questionnaires. Data were analyzed using SPSS, by Pearson correlation coefficient and stepwise regression model. According to results, negative emotions, intensity of competitive ability and irritability factors have been able to explain changes in childbirth fear. Also job involvement, inertia, and intensity of competitive ability and irritability factors have explained the changes in self-efficacy of pain. (p<0.05). The results of this study showed that personality types can significantly predict fear of childbirth changes and pain self-efficacy in pregnant women.