Associations between perfectionism cognitions, religiosity and desired number of children in Iranian women.

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 = .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.