Effects of Watson’s Human Caring Theory–based nursing care on fear of childbirth and birth experience: a randomized controlled trial

This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effect of integrating Watson’s Human Caring Theory-based nursing care program into the birth process on mothers’ fear of childbirth and birth experience. A randomized controlled trial was conducted at a state hospital in Northern Cyprus between July 2024 and March 2025. Sample size was calculated using G*Power with a significance level of 0.05% and 80% power, yielding 15 participants per group. Thirty mothers who had uncomplicated vaginal deliveries were randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 15) and control (n = 15) groups. While the control group received only routine care, the intervention group received nursing care based on Watson’s Theory of Human Caring. The research data showed that the intervention and control groups were demographically similar (p > 0.05). The Fear of Birth Scale (FOBS) and the Short Version of the Questionnaire for Assessing the Childbirth Experience (QACE) were reliable and valid; Cronbach's alpha coefficients ranged from 0.787 to 0.971 (FOBS) and 0.746 to 0.834 (QACE). During the transition phase of labor, fear of childbirth scores (FOBS) in the intervention group decreased significantly and were lower than those in the control group (p < 0.05). Questionnaire for Assessing Childbirth Experience (QACE) scores also differed significantly between groups (p < 0.05), with higher scores in the control group indicating a more negative birth experience. This study showed that mothers who received nursing care on Watson’s Theory of Human Caring reported more positive birth experiences overall and experienced less fear during the birthing process than mothers who received only routine care.