Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of motivational interviewing, based on the theory of planned behavior, on childbearing intention among women with one child.
Instrument & Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted in 2025 among 90 women with one child attending comprehensive health service centers in Bijar, Iran. Participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group (n=45 per group). Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire and a theory of planned behavior-based childbearing intention questionnaire. The intervention group participated in six motivational interviewing sessions (45–60 minutes each), while the control group received routine care. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, immediately following the intervention, and at a three-month follow-up. Data were analyzed using independent t-tests and repeated-measures analysi of variance by SPSS 27.
Findings: The mean age in the intervention and control groups was 35.62±6.43 vs. 35.86±5.49 years, respectively. At baseline, no significant differences were observed between the groups regarding demographic characteristics or theory of planned behavior construct scores (p>0.05). The intervention group demonstrated significant group-by-time effects for perceived behavioral control and childbearing intention (p<0.001), with improvements observed immediately after the intervention and maintained at the three-month follow-up. Although attitude and subjective norms changed significantly over time, the group-by-time interactions for these constructs were not statistically significant (p=0.070 and p=0.168, respectively).
Conclusion: Theory-based motivational interviewing effectively enhances childbearing intention among women with one child.