AI Insight
This study investigated how "mianzi" (face concerns) influence fertility intentions among 446 Chinese women by examining self-, relational-, and societal-oriented dimensions of this cultural concept. Results showed that all three dimensions of face concerns positively influenced attitudes toward childbearing, while relational and societal face concerns also strengthened subjective norms about having children. The relationship between these attitudes, norms, and actual fertility intentions was moderated by perceived behavioral control, suggesting that cultural identity and social evaluation processes play important roles in reproductive decisions beyond economic factors.
Why it matters
The findings indicate that addressing China's declining fertility rate requires policy approaches that account for culturally specific psychological factors, not just economic incentives. Understanding how face concerns shape reproductive decisions could help develop more culturally sensitive interventions that resonate with Chinese women's identity-based motivations.
IntroductionChina’s declining fertility rate has raised significant demographic concerns. While prior research has largely emphasized economic and structural determinants, less attention has been paid to culturally embedded psychological mechanisms. This study examines how mianzi (face concerns) relates to Chinese women’s fertility intentions by integrating the Theory of Planned Behavior and Social Identity Theory.MethodsSurvey data were collected from 446 Chinese women of reproductive age. Mianzi was conceptualized as a multidimensional construct comprising self-, relational-, and societal-oriented dimensions. Structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesized relationships, including mediation and moderation effects.ResultsAll three mianzi dimensions were positively associated with attitudes toward childbearing. Relational- and societal-mianzi were also positively associated with subjective norms, whereas self-mianzi was not. Both attitudes and subjective norms were positively associated with fertility intention, with subjective norms showing a stronger association. Perceived behavioral control significantly moderated these relationships.DiscussionThe findings suggest that fertility intentions are shaped not only by structural conditions but also by culturally embedded identity and social evaluation processes. The study highlights the importance of incorporating culturally sensitive psychological mechanisms into fertility research and policy discussions.