Online social support for infertility in Azerbaijan

Abstract

Online social support, with its novel opportunities for coping, is especially important for those experiencing isolation. Daughters-in-law in Azerbaijan are isolated and have inadequate support due to patriarchal and patrilocal norms, amplified when they experience infertility. This study considers an online community where supportive communication and resources are exchanged to mitigate infertility isolation. Using virtual ethnography and thematic analysis, three research questions related to different types of isolation are explored. We find support exchanges in this community can likely help women more efficiently and effectively cope with, and have more control over, the immediate stressor of infertility and associated uncertainty, which is profound given the lack of supportive resources they would otherwise have.

Land of Fire, Hearts of Ice: Psychological Aspects of the Involuntary Childlessness in Azerbaijan

“…The research project conducted by Pearce et al 34 focuses on the importance of online social support as a means of coping, particularly for individuals experiencing isolation. In Azerbaijan, daughters-in-law facing infertility are often isolated and lack adequate support due to patriarchal and patrilocal norms.…”

“…Many posts request emotional support implicitly or explicitly, and commenters often provide both informational and emotional support. By sharing personal experiences, commenters validate the posters' experiences and encourage them to reframe their situation in a more positive light 34 .…”

“…Infertility is a difficult issue in Azerbaijan as people there often worry about the negative consequences associated with it. Pearce et al 34 report that having children is not seen as a personal decision in these cultures but rather as a responsibility that comes with family pressure. The lack of access to accurate and reliable information about infertility can make it difficult for sufferers to understand their condition and find appropriate support and resources 34 .…”

“…Pearce et al 34 report that having children is not seen as a personal decision in these cultures but rather as a responsibility that comes with family pressure. The lack of access to accurate and reliable information about infertility can make it difficult for sufferers to understand their condition and find appropriate support and resources 34 . A thorough examination of the social consequences of women's unfulfilled desire to have children in this region is thus of particular importance, as a woman's social status, dignity, and self-worth within the family and in society are closely tied to her ability to conceive 31 .…”

“…The authors suggest that the longer a woman has been trying to conceive, the more likely she is to experience anxiety and stress in relation to infertility treatments. Sharing their experiences with others may be difficult, particularly if they feel judged or misunderstood 34 .…”