What Are the Issues Confronting Infertile Women? A Qualitative and Quantitative Approach

Abstract

Infertility is a stressful experience, yet little is known about the specific issues confronting infertile women. In the present study, researchers sought to identify themes important to infertile women and examine possible associations with mental health levels. Using qualitative content analysis, researchers analyzed the email messages of 57 infertile women participating in a German-language Internet-based treatment for infertility. The themes most important to infertile women were emotions surrounding their wish for a child, coping with this unfulfilled wish, and medical aspects. Clinically anxious women reported substantially and significantly more negative and positive emotions than non-anxious women did (Mann-Whitney U(1)=178; p=0.034). Participants who were both clinically anxious and depressed reported more negative emotions and substantially fewer positive emotions when compared to participants who were solely anxious. The themes identified, considered important by infertile women, could be helpful to health professionals working in fertility treatment.

The relationship between sexual function and emotional intelligence and its components based on fertility status in women referring to health centers in Yazd

“…In Jafaryazdi's study, which examined the relationship between emotional intelligence and marital adjustment, the average age of participants was 35.5 years. [ 22 ] In the field of fertility variables, the results showed that the mean scores of problem-solving components, happiness, stress tolerance, self-fulfillment, realism, interpersonal relationships, optimism, self-esteem, self-control or impulse control, flexibility, social responsibility, Empathy, and total emotional intelligence score were significantly higher in fertile people than in infertile people. In this regard, the study of Rasti, Jafarkhani, and Gana is in line with the results of the present study.…”

Memaknai Pengalaman Tanpa Anak: Studi Fenomenologi Pada Suami-Istri yang Mengalami Infertilitas

“…Perempuan yang mengalami infertilitas mengalami emosi negatif seperti takut, sedih, tertekan, cemburu, putus asa, marah, kasihan pada diri sendiri, menyalahkan diri sendiri, malu, dan kecewa (Hämmerli et al, 2010).…”