Volume 22, Issue 3 (10-2026)
J Health Syst Res 2026, 22(3): 569-576 |
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Research code: IR.IAU.NAJAFABAD.REC.1403.068
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Alivand G, Moghimian M, Goli M. Investigating the Role of Social Support and Emotion Regulation in Predicting the Mental Health of Surrogate Mothers. J Health Syst Res 2026; 22 (3) :569-576
URL: http://hsr.mui.ac.ir/article-1-1992-en.html
URL: http://hsr.mui.ac.ir/article-1-1992-en.html
1- MSc Student, Department of Clinical Psychology, Na.C., Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran
2- Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatric Nursing AND Nursing and Midwifery Sciences Development Research Center, Na.C., Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran
3- Assistant Professor, Department of Midwifery AND Nursing and Midwifery Sciences Development Research Center, Na.C., Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran
2- Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatric Nursing AND Nursing and Midwifery Sciences Development Research Center, Na.C., Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran
3- Assistant Professor, Department of Midwifery AND Nursing and Midwifery Sciences Development Research Center, Na.C., Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran
Abstract: (233 Views)
Background: The phenomenon of surrogate motherhood encompasses not only legal issues but also cultural, social, and psychological dimensions. Investigating the factors that affect the mental health of surrogate mothers can help prevent the development of mental health problems. Depression, anxiety, and a lack of support resources expose these women to negative emotions. Therefore, it is essential to identify these factors in order to implement effective interventions. This study was conducted to determine the role of social support and emotion regulation in the mental health of surrogate mothers.
Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional, correlational study was conducted among surrogate mothers attending four medical centers in Isfahan Province, Iran. Participants who visited the centers in 2024 were invited to participate through direct contact at the centers, while those who attended between 2021 and 2024 were invited via telephone calls based on the inclusion criteria. Using the Cochran formula, a sample of 101 participants was selected through convenience sampling. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire along with assessments of social support, general health, and emotional control. Data were analyzed using AMOS and SPSS software.
Findings: Social support played a mediating role in predicting mental health based on surrogate mothers' emotion regulation. The effect of social support was 0.88, indicating a direct and significant impact on mental health. Emotion regulation also had a direct effect with an effect size of 0.73 and an indirect effect with an effect size of 0.57 on mental health. Among the components of emotion regulation, aggression control and benign control had the highest effects, each with an effect size of 0.81, while emotional inhibition had the lowest effect, with an effect size of 0.63. Among the components of social support, support from others had the highest effect, with an effect size of 0.76, and support from friends had the lowest effect, with an effect size of 0.68.
Conclusion: Social support and emotional regulation in surrogate mothers significantly affect their mental health. Therefore, future research should focus on developing a supportive educational protocol for surrogate mothers and recommending its implementation to health policymakers.
Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional, correlational study was conducted among surrogate mothers attending four medical centers in Isfahan Province, Iran. Participants who visited the centers in 2024 were invited to participate through direct contact at the centers, while those who attended between 2021 and 2024 were invited via telephone calls based on the inclusion criteria. Using the Cochran formula, a sample of 101 participants was selected through convenience sampling. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire along with assessments of social support, general health, and emotional control. Data were analyzed using AMOS and SPSS software.
Findings: Social support played a mediating role in predicting mental health based on surrogate mothers' emotion regulation. The effect of social support was 0.88, indicating a direct and significant impact on mental health. Emotion regulation also had a direct effect with an effect size of 0.73 and an indirect effect with an effect size of 0.57 on mental health. Among the components of emotion regulation, aggression control and benign control had the highest effects, each with an effect size of 0.81, while emotional inhibition had the lowest effect, with an effect size of 0.63. Among the components of social support, support from others had the highest effect, with an effect size of 0.76, and support from friends had the lowest effect, with an effect size of 0.68.
Conclusion: Social support and emotional regulation in surrogate mothers significantly affect their mental health. Therefore, future research should focus on developing a supportive educational protocol for surrogate mothers and recommending its implementation to health policymakers.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
health Psychology
Received: 2025/01/28 | Accepted: 2025/08/2 | Published: 2026/10/7
Received: 2025/01/28 | Accepted: 2025/08/2 | Published: 2026/10/7
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