Perspectives of Medical Students on Family Dynamics and the Decision to Have Multiple Children
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Introduction. Demographic issues are one of the main concerns of modern Russia. In the "Year of the Family - 2024", a large family was launched. Objective. To determine the attitudes of medical students toward starting a family and having children. Materials and methods. In real time, 253 students from the Institute of Clinical Medicine. The total group (n-202) was divided into 2 subgroups: 1 subgroup - 54 men, 2 subgroup – 148 girls. Research results were processed on a personal computer using the Sigma Plot 12.5 program (Systat Software, 2011). For a comparative analysis of the data obtained in subgroups, the nonparametric chi-square statistics criterion ushering. Results. The average age was 21.8 years [21; 28]. Most of the senior students already had sexual experience (81.5% and 75%; p=0.335). The average age of sexual debut in men was 17.7, and in girls 18.2 years (p = 0.125). The most popular method of contraception among students was the condom (78.8%). A large proportion were the first children in the family (66.8% and 71.5%; p=0.680), every fourth was an only child (20.3% and 25.0%; p=0.619), more than half grew up in a family with two children (55.8% and 59.8%; p=0.757), families with three or more children – 17.3%. Most university students without significant differences by gender plan to start their own family (94.0%) and have children (88.1%). The proportion of students who are negatively opposed to the family is 2.7 times higher among men than among women, with the same frequency of refusal to procreate (13.0% and 11.5%). The average number of planned births in the subgroups was 2.1 [0; 6] and 1.85 [0; 4] (p = 0.811), each third respondent has a positive attitude towards having many children (33.3% and 30.4%; p=0.822), the dominant "family model" is having two children (55.3% and 58.8%; p = 0.681). The main conditions for creating a family and having children are a positive example of their own families (14.8% and independence of 26.4%; p = 0.086) and housing (75.9% and 85.3%; p = 0.248). Additionally, the trend in state and society is important for men (18.5% and 2.7%; p≤0.001), their personal work (57.4% and 39.1%; p=0.021) and financial status (37.0% and 16.9%; p=0.003). Girls focus on their own health (1.4% and 11.5%; p=0.034), concerns are caused by the "burden of responsibility" (0 and 10.1%; p=0.034), a decrease in the possibility of self-realization and professional growth (18.5% and 39.2%; p=0.006). Conclusion. The research conducted showed that every third respondent has a high demand to start a family and having children among students, and a positive attitude towards having many children. Gender differences in the motives "for" and "against" family and large families identified, which requires consideration in the implementation of medical and social projects on demography. The group of students who have negative attitudes towards family and childbearing (11.8%) deserves attention.
Source: Bulletin of Medical Science
Language: English
Subfield: Demography
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4408887771