Emotional Intelligence and Fear of Childbirth among Pregnant Women: A Correlational Study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Maternal and Newborn Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Cairo University, Egypt

2 Lecturer of Psychiatric Health Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Cairo University, Egypt

3 Lecturer of Community Health Nursing- Faculty of Nursing- Zagazig University- Egypt

4 Lecturer of Maternal and Newborn Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Cairo University, Egypt

Abstract

When fear of childbirth (FOC) is considered as an obstetrical barrier and hurts women's overall
health, having an adequate level of emotional intelligence (EI) among pregnant women can play a pivotal
role in controlling these fears. Aim: to investigate the relationship between emotional intelligence and
fear of childbirth among pregnant women. Research design: A descriptive correlational design was
used. Setting: outpatient clinics in Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospitals affiliated with Cairo University
Hospitals. Sample: A convenience sample of 100 pregnant women in their third trimester of pregnancy
was selected. Tools: Three tools were used. 1) Personal Data Sheet 2) Emotional Intelligence Inventory
3) Fear of Childbirth Questionnaire Results: nearly two-thirds (64.0%) of women had an average level of
emotional intelligence, and 62.0% of them had a moderate level of fear of birth, while 17.0% had a high
level. In addition, a significant negative correlation was found between pregnant women’s level of
emotional intelligence and fear of birth (r= -0.46, p= 0.00). Moreover, there were positive statistical
correlations between EI with work status (r= 0.34, p=0.001) and gestational age (r= 0.22, p= 0.02).
Conversely, negative statistical correlations were found between fear of birth with both work status (r= -
0.3, p= 0.002) and gestational age (r= -0.25, p= 0.009). Conclusion: It was determined that a negative
correlation with highly statistically significant differences was found between the total EI scores of the
pregnant women and their FOC. Recommendations: Emotional intelligence skills should be integrated as
a part of educational sessions conducted for pregnancy-related fears. 

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