Investigating the Relationship between the Position of Married People in the Levels of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, with Life Expectancy and the Desire to have Children

Abstract

Background: The difference in life expectancy and willingness to have children among married people is influenced by the different positions of people in the levels of Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Aim: The current research was conducted to determine the relationship between the position of married people in the levels of Maslow's hierarchy of needs with their life expectancy and desire to have children. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted using convenience sampling on 140 married people in the general population of Khaf City in 2022. Data were collected using an electronic questionnaire and analyzed using the SPSS-22 statistical software, Pearson correlation coefficient, and multiple regression statistical tests at a significance level of 0.05. Results: The highest average score of Maslow's Hierarchy of needs was related to the level of basic needs (5.45±4.85), and the lowest average was related to the level of self-actualization needs (2.09±5.55). The average score of life expectancy and willingness to have children in the studied subjects was 25.41±6.62 (moderate) and 18.38±6.38 (low), respectively. There was a positive and significant correlation between the levels of Maslow's hierarchy of needs on life expectancy and the desire to have children in the studied subjects (p<0.001). Conclusion: Basic needs are the most important needs of couples and they can directly affect life expectancy and the desire to have children. Therefore, the basic needs must be prioritized in the country's plans so that after the basic needs are met, conditions are created to improve life expectancy and the desire to have children. © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Bentham Open.