Psychological Factors of Reproductive Activity of Personality

Abstract

Abstract

Background. Reproductive activity is a complex, dynamic process of existential self-determination within the integral system of parenthood, which ensures the development and realization of an individual's subjectivity. In information society, the reproductive activity of a person is realized against the backdrop of many contradictions, which is why the study of psychological factors and mechanisms related to the reproductive sphere becomes particularly important.

Objective. A study of the factors and mechanisms that influence the specific nature of a person's reproductive activity and determine a favorable or unfavorable predisposition to childbearing.

Sample. The study involved 479 respondents aged 17 to 46 (M_age = 33.22; SD = 10.01; 39.2% — male), living in the city of Krasnodar, the Krasnodar Territory, and other regions of Russia.

Methods. Family Emotional Communication Questionnaire (A.B. Kholmogorova et al.); Attachment to Parents and Peers Questionnaire by G. Armsden and M. Greenberg; test "Personal Helplessness" by V.V. Shipovskaya; test "Protest Activity of the Individual" by A.Sh. Guseynov; the Internet Addiction Test by K. Young. The data were processed using the programs IBM SPSS 23, AMOS 23 and MS Excel by means of descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, multiple regression analysis, and SEM.

Results. The study has demonstrated the contribution of psychological factors and mechanisms that determine predisposition to childbearing, namely: secure attachment to parents, a positive image of parents and trust in them, independence. Whereas alienation from parents, helplessness (inaction, alienation, rumination), protest (negativism, escapism, anomie, opposition), and internet addiction turned to be significant predictors of low motivation to have children. For most respondents, housing conditions is a significant factor for planning the number of children.

Conclusions. A favorable family climate, emotional closeness, the experience of secure attachment to parents, positive parental representations, and independence encourage having children and contribute to building a model of family life. The type of attachment acts as a mechanism that shapes the attitude towards parenthood, determining the dynamics and specifics of a person's reproductive activity. Alienation, helplessness, a tendency toward destructive protest activity, and internet addiction form the grounds for reproductive passivity.

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