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Title: Infertility-related Stress and Marital Satisfaction among Pakistani Infertile Individuals
Authors: Anoosha Tabassum, Rayna Sadia, Sadia Huda, Saira Khan
Journal: IUB Journal of Social Sciences (IJOSS)
Publisher: Islamia University, Bahawalpur
Country: Pakistan
Year: 2023
Volume: 5
Issue: 1
Language: English
Keywords: InfertilitySecondary infertilityMarital SatisfactionInfertility-related StressPrimary Infertility
Infertility is a reproductive health problem that is widely researched with reference to numerous psychological concerns faced by infertile individuals. Childless couples face numerous personal and social consequences with every passing day. Among them, immediate family members' expectations to carry on the family’s name significantly weigh down marital union in the form of marital dissatisfaction among infertile individuals. Therefore, the relationship between stress related to infertility and its impact on the marital union, individuals (N = 150) of 18-40 years (M = 29.19, SD = 5.59) were taken from Rawalpindi, Islamabad, and Attock. The sample was approached at infertility centers, hospitals, offices, and their homes using snowball and purposive sampling techniques. Fertility Problem Inventory (FPI) and ENRICH Marital Satisfaction (EMS) Scale was administered on the sample. The results established satisfactory Cronbach alpha reliabilities (α = .63 to α = .93) for all scales. Hypotheses testing revealed that stress due to infertility negatively affects the marital satisfaction of infertile individuals and accounted for a 7% variance. Lastly, non-significant gender differences were observed across the variables of the study. These findings would be helpful in understanding the dynamics of stress, faced by childless individuals and would be beneficial in the investigation of cultural buffering factors. Non-significant gender differences across infertility-related stress further highlight the significance of devising and providing intervention-based programs and therapies for both men and women to cope with the stress and strengthen the marital union of infertile individuals.
To investigate the relationship between infertility-related stress and marital satisfaction among infertile individuals in Pakistan, and to examine gender differences in these variables.
Correlational study involving 150 infertile individuals (18-40 years old) from Rawalpindi, Islamabad, and Attock, Pakistan. Participants were recruited from infertility centers, hospitals, offices, and homes using snowball and purposive sampling. Data was collected using a self-constructed demographic sheet, the Fertility Problem Inventory (FPI), and the ENRICH Marital Satisfaction (EMS) Scale. Statistical analysis included frequency and percentages for demographics, bivariate correlation, linear regression for prediction analysis, and t-tests for gender differences.
graph TD
A["Recruit Participants N=150"] --> B["Administer Demographic Sheet"]
B --> C["Administer Fertility Problem Inventory - FPI"]
C --> D["Administer ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Scale - EMS"]
D --> E["Data Analysis: Correlation, Regression, T-test"]
E --> F["Interpret Results"]
F --> G["Draw Conclusions and Recommendations"]
The findings suggest that increased infertility-related stress negatively impacts marital satisfaction among infertile individuals in Pakistan. This is attributed to the psychological and social repercussions of failing to achieve parenthood, particularly within the cultural context of Pakistan where procreation is highly valued. The lack of gender differences indicates that both men and women experience similar levels of stress and its impact on their marital satisfaction.
Infertility-related stress (global stress and its subscales: Social Concern, Relationship Concern, and Need for Parenthood) was found to be significantly and negatively associated with marital satisfaction. Infertility-related stress accounted for 7% of the variance in marital satisfaction. No significant gender differences were observed in infertility-related stress or marital satisfaction.
Infertility-related stress significantly affects marital satisfaction in infertile individuals in Pakistan. The study highlights the need for interventions and therapies for both men and women to cope with stress and strengthen marital unions. The findings also underscore the importance of societal empathy towards individuals and couples facing infertility.
- The study involved 150 participants.
- The mean age of the sample was 29.19 years (SD = 5.59).
- Infertility-related stress negatively predicted marital satisfaction, accounting for 7% of the variance.
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