Fertility and Infertility: Toward an Integrative Research Agenda

Abstract

In this article, we show that social science research on fertility and infertility consists of largely separate research traditions, despite shared interest in pregnancies and births (or lack thereof). We describe four ways these two traditions differ: (1) publication trajectories and outlets, (2) fields of study and major theoretical frameworks, (3) degree of attention to the other topic, and (4) language and definitions used. We then discuss why future integration of these bodies of research would be beneficial, outline potential steps toward rapprochement, and provide common areas of dialogue that could facilitate and enrich these bodies of research. We offer a more holistic framework using the reproductive career as an extension of existing lifecourse approaches in both fertility and infertility research. We conclude with a brief empirical example and discussion of methodological issues for measuring and modeling reproductive careers.

Change in Motherhood Status and Fertility Problem Identification: Implications for Changes in Life Satisfaction

“…Physicians define infertility as lack of conception after 12 months or more of recurrent, unprotected intercourse (Zegers‐Hochschild et al, ). About 11% of U.S. women of childbearing age reported current symptoms that qualify as “impaired fecundity” in 2006 to 2010 (Chandra et al, ), and a study using the National Survey of Fertility Barriers (NSFB) revealed that about 47% of U.S. women met criteria for infertility at some point during their reproductive years (K. M. Johnson, Greil, Shreffler, & McQuillan, ). Having a fertility barrier represents a potential challenge to achieving a highly socially valued identity (i.e., motherhood; Loftus & Andriot, ).…”

Infertility and Self-identification: The Indeterminacy of the Illness-self Relationship

“…Many medical practitioners specialize in treating infertility. Nearly one-third to one-half of U.S. women meets the medical criteria for infertility at some point during their reproductive careers (Gurunath et al 2011; Johnson et al 2018). Despite the high prevalence rate, only some of the women who meet the medical criteria also subjectively perceive that they have a fertility problem (Abbey, Andrews, and Halman 1994; Greil, Leyser-Whalen, et al 2011; Loftus 2009; White et al 2006; Wilson 2014).…”

Pathways to Parenthood in Social and Family Contexts: Decade in Review, 2020

“…As such, we highlight work on adoption and ART. For those interested in the broader range of medical treatments for infertility, we recommend the thorough review by Johnson, Greil, Shreffler, and McQuillan ().…”

“…Cross‐sectional snapshots of fertility desires and intentions also miss their dynamic nature, as views on childbearing shift during the life course, by relationship status, and across parity (Bhrolcháin & Beaujouan, , ; Gemmill, ; Jones, ; Shreffler, Greil, Mitchell, & McQuillan, ). Thus, we would recommend that future research conceptualize and analyze “reproductive careers” or sequences of births and related reproductive events (Johnson et al, ) to the extent possible, given the need for full birth histories, and when appropriate for the research question. The application of emerging analytical techniques, such as sequence analysis, to childbearing behaviors may further stimulate theoretical developments.…”