Socio-demographic characteristics, health behaviours, health and well-being and health service use of women who are voluntarily childless from young adulthood to middle age
Synopsis
Childlessness, either by choice (voluntarily childless) or as a
consequence of biological or other constraints
(involuntarily childless), is increasing in high-income countries and contributes to the fertility decline. The
increase in childlessness indicates the importance of exploring the
consequences of this social change. Previous studies mainly used
cross-sectional designs and focused on mental health among older women with
fertility issues. In the current research, ALSWH (1973-78) cohort data will be
used to understand the socio-demographic characteristics, quality of life, and
health-related behaviours, and health service use of women in the childless group, from young adulthood
to middle age.