Mapping intentions to adopt fertility protective behaviours: the role of couple congruence and the importance of relationship and fertility awareness

Abstract

Several studies worldwide have shown that reproductive-aged people often have inadequate fertility awareness (FA). Since attitudes and health behaviours are influenced by the partner, there is a need for studies exploring the role of these influences on the individuals’ adoption of fertility protective behaviours (FPB). This study explores the role of FA and relationship quality on couples’ intention to adopt FPB. One hundred and twelve childless couples answered an online questionnaire about reproductive life plan, FA and intentions to adopt FPB. The results showed that couples were moderately congruent on their reproductive life plan. The female partners who reported higher female relationship quality and higher female willingness to undergo fertility treatments were more willing to adopt FPB. The male partners who had heightened FA also reported higher intention to adopt FPB. The influences of male and female FA, relationship quality and congruence on reproductive life plan were neither associated with couples’ congruence on the intention to adopt FPB. Although the cross-sectional design restricts our ability to draw causal conclusions, these findings emphasize that future interventions should be targeted at couples and designed according to their expectations and reproductive desires.

Keywords:

• Couples
• fertility awareness
• reproductive life plan
• health behaviours
• relationship quality

Acknowledgements

We would like to kindly thank all couples that participated in this study. The funding agency has no influence on study design, data collected, or results presented.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology [Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia]: under the individual doctoral grant [SFRH/BD/103234/2014 to J.P.].