The relationship between gender role attitudes and reproductive autonomy among married women of reproductive age: An integrated SEM–SWARA approach for policy implication

We aimed to examine the relationship between gender role attitudes and reproductive autonomy among married women of reproductive age using an integrated SEM–SWARA approach, and to derive evidence-based policy implications for strengthening reproductive autonomy. We recruited 881 married women of childbearing age residing in Konya, Türkiye through convenience sampling. Our findings indicated that patriarchal perspectives in gender role attitudes were negatively associated with reproductive autonomy (β= −0.092, β= −0.627, β= −0.400, β= −0.407; p < 0.05). In addition, we identified significant negative correlations between reproductive autonomy and the sub-dimensions reflecting patriarchal perspectives (r= −0.149, r= −0.423, r= −0.287, r= −0.291; p < 0.001). Our SWARA analysis revealed that social and economic factors were the most prioritized structural domains associated with reproductive autonomy. Our findings highlight the significant association between gender role attitudes and reproductive autonomy among married women, underscoring the need for structural and educational interventions to promote women’s reproductive rights.