Relational uncertainty, partner interference, and infertility: A qualitative study of discourse within online forums

Abstract

Infertility afflicts one in six couples and confronts partners with life decisions that have long-term implications for their partnerships. The authors analyzed discourse from online discussion board strings and blogs (N = 438) to consider how this reproductive disability is both affected by and transforms the marital relationship. Specifically, a relational turbulence model lens was used to gain insight into the salient relational issues of couples coping with infertility. A qualitative theme analysis revealed two relational uncertainty themes (relational invalidation and implications of blame), two partner interference themes (supremacy of the pregnancy goal and violated expectations for treatment involvement), and two identity themes (strengthened relational identity and personal identity shifts).

The role of relational uncertainty in depressive symptoms and relationship quality

“…Moreover, when partners experienced more relational uncertainty, individuals reported less relationship quality in 8 of 12 tests (RQ3). Beyond contributing to mounting evidence that relational uncertainty may be problematic within romantic relationships (e.g., Afifi & Reichert, 1996;Knobloch & Solomon, 2005;Steuber & Solomon, 2008), the findings for H3 and RQ3 advance the literature on relational uncertainty in two ways. First, whereas actor effects similar to H3 emerged in a prior study of highly satisfied spouses (Knobloch, 2008), this investigation suggests that relational uncertainty shares close ties with relationship quality among couples reporting a substantial degree of relationship distress.…”

Themes of Relational Uncertainty and Interference From Partners in Depression

“…Within the context of infertility, for example, individuals experience relational uncertainty about how committed their partner is to reproductive treatments, how to cope with violations of expectations, and who to blame for failing to conceive (Steuber & Solomon, 2008). Within the domain of breast cancer, people grapple with relational uncertainty about shifting identities, seeking and sharing information, negotiating social support, achieving understanding, and dealing with changes to their physical appearance (Weber & Solomon, 2008).…”

Factors that Predict Married Partners' Disclosures about Infertility to Social Network Members

“…From a psychological perspective, people coping with infertility are at increased risks for depression (Peterson, Newton, & Feingold, 2007), and infertile couples often face issues of blame, stress from treatments, and relationship uncertainty (Steuber & Solomon, 2008). These medical, psychological, and relational consequences of infertility result in experiences of personal and marital strain as couples negotiate their own and their partner's preferences for managing their reproductive disability.…”