The Meaning of Childbearing Among IVF Service Users Assessed via Laddering Technique

Abstract

The psychosocial issues related to infertility have been widely researched. However, the meaning a couple gives to childbearing remains a relatively unexplored area. This study explores the meaning making of Hong Kong Chinese couples who had received in-vitro fertilization (IVF). Eleven IVF-successful and seven IVF-unsuccessful informants were assessed using two complementary constructivist methods: laddering technique and constructivist-grounded theory analysis of in-depth interviews. Findings revealed four aspects of symbolic meaning of childbearing focused on the informant's sense of self, cultural values, existential purpose, and relations with others. The results also depicted infertility as a form of disenfranchised grief, following ambiguous loss, underscoring the need for counselors to explore the meaning of childbearing among IVF service users and the impact on their self-narratives as a function of treatment outcome.

Childbearing Perceptions Among Taiwanese Women Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization Treatment: A Qualitative Study

“…Infertile Japanese women regretted delaying fertility decisions, and this was negatively correlated with life satisfaction (Adachi et al, 2020). G. L. Lee and colleagues (2012) identified four aspects of the symbolic meaning of childbearing of concern to Hong Kong Chinese women receiving IVF treatment: focusing on the sense of self, cultural values, existential purpose, and relationship with others.…”