Is a dyadic stressor experienced as equally distressing by both partners? The case of perceived fertility problems

Abstract

Using data from a population survey, this article explores whether perceptions of having a fertility problem among 926 U.S. couples in heterosexual relationships (women aged 25–45 and male partners) are associated with distress. Most couples did not perceive a fertility problem (58%). In almost a third (30%) of the couples, only women perceived a fertility problem; in 4%, only the men; and in nearly a fifth (19%), both perceived a problem. Adjusted for characteristics associated with fertility problems and depressive symptoms, those who perceived a problem exhibited significantly more depressive symptoms than those who did not. Fertility problems are sometimes experienced as individual because in some couples only one partner perceives a problem or has higher distress in response to their own rather than to their partners’ perceived problems. For women, fertility problems are experienced as a couple phenomenon because women were more distressed when both partners perceive a problem. The perception of fertility problems is gendered in that women were more likely to perceive a problem than men. Furthermore, men are most distressed when they perceive a problem and their partner does not.

Is perceived inability to procreate associated with life satisfaction? Evidence from a German panel study

“…Edelmann and Connolly (1998), however, argued that the higher distress levels among infertile women compared with men simply reflect general higher distress among women. McQuillan et al (2020) found that both men and women in heterosexual couples who perceive a fertility problem have higher average distress compared with those who do not perceive a problem, and, in couples in which only one partner perceives a problem, men tend to have even higher distress than women.…”

“… Edelmann and Connolly (1998) , however, argued that the higher distress levels among infertile women compared with men simply reflect general higher distress among women. McQuillan et al (2020) found that both men and women in heterosexual couples who perceive a fertility problem have higher average distress compared with those who do not perceive a problem, and, in couples in which only one partner perceives a problem, men tend to have even higher distress than women. Therefore, this study assessed whether gender moderates the association between perceived inability to procreate and life satisfaction (two-way interaction of gender by perceived inability to procreate), and whether life course indicators, values and schemas modify the association between perceived inability to procreate and life satisfaction differently for men and women (three-way interactions).…”

“…For adults who want children, infertility is often experienced as a major goal blockage ( Loftus and Andriot, 2012 ). Analyses of cross-sectional data indicate that US adults with perceived fertility barriers report higher distress ( McQuillan et al, 2020 ) and that women with involuntary childlessness report lower life satisfaction ( McQuillan et al, 2007 ) than adults with no perceived fertility barriers or those who are ‘child-free’ ( Blackstone and Stewart, 2016 ).…”

A dyadic approach to depression, resilience and quality of life on marital adjustment among infertile couples in Karachi, Pakistan: A cross‐sectional study

“…In a nutshell, infertility can be experienced as an individual when one partner experiences increased distress as a result of their own issues rather than their spouse's perceived According to a study conducted in the United States, infertility is perceived as a couple problem by females because females are more distressed than men when both partners perceive infertility as a serious issue. Males, on the other hand, tend to become distressed when they consider infertility to be a problem and their spouse does not (McQuillan et al, 2021). Infertility contributes to relational consequences in couples and causes negative outcomes.…”