Associations between perfectionism cognitions, religiosity and desired number of children in Iranian women. (27th May 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Atari, Mohammad; Chegeni, Razieh
• Is Part Of: Journal of reproductive and infant psychology. Volume 35:Number 3(2017)
• Page Start: 309
• Page End: 317
• Publication Date: 2017-05-27
• Subjects: Evolutionary theory -- reproductive psychology -- perfectionism -- religiosity -- young women; Human reproduction -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Pregnancy -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Infant psychology -- Periodicals; Reproduction -- Periodicals; Child Psychology -- Periodicals; Women -- psychology -- Periodicals; 612.6
• DOI: 10.1080/02646838.2017.1319915
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-6838

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: This study aimed to investigate the associations between perfectionism cognitions, religiosity and the desired number of children in young women. Background: The desired number of children has been found to correlate with personality and individual difference. Methods: A sample of 281 women was selected from university settings in Tehran, Iran. Participants ranged in age from 18 to 39 years ( M = 23.7, SD = 3.7). All participants responded to a paper-and-pencil survey consisting of measures of perfectionism cognitions, intrinsic religiosity and the desired number of children. Results: Bivariate correlations indicated that, as hypothesised, perfectionism cognitions were negatively associated with the number of children desired ( p < .05). Additionally, intrinsic religiosity was positively associated with the desired number of children ( p < .01). Finally, regression analysis suggested that, as hypothesised, perfectionism cognitions and intrinsic religiosity could significantly predict the desired number of children ( R 2 = .19). Conclusion: Findings of the present study were explained in the light of an evolutionary approach on reproductive psychology. Those with high perfectionistic cognitions desire a smaller number of children and more religious women desire a larger number of children.