Infertility as Boundary Ambiguity: One Theoretical Perspective

Abstract

Infertility as a life event can be understood from a number of conceptual perspectives: a developmental crisis, a grief reaction, a disruption of marital contracts and roles, a crisis of identity, sexuality, and/or values, or a challenge of decision-making processes. Stress theory and the construct of boundary ambiguity can augment the understanding of the crisis of infertility by providing a different approach and unique perspective. It is the hypothesis of this article that the involuntarily childless couple may experience infertility as a stress of boundary ambiguity, that is, not knowing who is in and who is out of the family system. As infertile couples attempt to make the transition to parenthood they may experience the child they wish to have as a family member who is psychologically present but physically absent.

Long-term effects on sexual function and fertility after treatment of testicular cancer

“…Sperm-banking awareness is one of several possible fertility adjustment responses, besides adoption awareness, fertility testing and trying to father children and fertility distress (Rieker et al, 1990). The psychological aspects of infertility, its psychosomatic components on health and sexuality have been described elsewhere (Burns, 1987). In the current investigation, 20 of 87 (23%) patients who underwent CT or RPLND reported that cryopreservation had been offered to them.…”

New families, old values: considerations regarding the welfare of the child

“…It has been argued that the child may not be fully accepted as part of the family, and that the absence of a genetic tie to one or both parents may have an undermining effect on the child's sense of identity (Burns, 1987). Studies of adopted children who are aware of their origins (Brodzinsky et al, 1995), and of children in stepfamilies (Hetherington and Clingempeel, 1992;Hetherington, 1993), have shown that the lack of genetic relatedness between a child and one, or both, parents can be associated with alienation and hostility between the parents and the child.…”

Relação conjugal no contexto de reprodução assistida: o tratamento e a gravidez

“…Já a infertilidade representa, segundo Burns (1987), justamente um obstáculo no caminho rumo à parentalidade, sendo considerada, assim, um evento estressor. Diante da constatação de uma situação de infertilidade, tornam-se necessárias diversas decisões e redefinições, que podem envolver expectativas, metas, relacionamentos e, até mesmo, a própria identidade dos cônjuges (Burns, 1987;Leiblum, 1997;McDaniel, Hepworth, & Doherty, 1994;Sharf & Weinshel, 2002).…”

“…Quando o casal opta pela realização das técnicas de reprodução assistida (TRA), os cônjuges se deparam com uma série de questões com as quais necessitarão lidar, como, por exemplo, a adequação da rotina -inclusive a sexual -aos procedimentos, o contato frequente com a equipe médica, possíveis frustrações quanto aos resultados do tratamento e a decisão sobre com quem compartilhar essas experiências (Burns, 1987;Leiblum, 1997). Nesse contexto, o casal pode se sentir excluído por considerar-se diferente da maioria e vivenciar sentimentos de raiva, culpa e vergonha, o que tende a repercutir nas diferentes relações desses indivíduos, especialmente a conjugal (Burns 1987;Leiblum, 1997;Schaffer & Diamond, 1994;Seger-Jacob, 2006;Shapiro, 1992).…”