The value of motherhood and psychological distress among infertile women: The mediating role of coping strategies

Abstract

IntroductionThe present study investigated psychological distress and coping strategies among infertile women during the COVID-19 pandemic using a multi-dimensional model of infertility-related stress. We explored the associations between individual (i.e., age) and situational characteristics related to infertility (i.e., duration of infertility, cause of infertility, number of lost pregnancies, and assisted reproductive techniques [ART] status), and perceived-infertility-related factors (i.e., the perceived importance of motherhood).MethodsOur total sample consisted of 193 women aged 20 to 46 (M= 33.23, SD = 4.58), out of which 102 were undergoing ART procedures (M = 33.60, SD = 4.23), and 91 were not (M= 32.81, SD = 4.94). Participants filled in questionnaires measuring psychological distress, coping strategies, and the importance of motherhood.ResultsCorrelation analyses suggested that the importance of motherhood was positively associated with psychological distress and negative coping strategies. Mediation analysis results indicated that both in the overall sample and in the sample of women undergoing ART procedures, the negative self-perception fully mediated the link between the importance of motherhood on psychological distress. In the non-ART sample, we found a significant mediation effect of denial on the link between the importance of motherhood and psychological distress.DiscussionWe discuss the theoretical and practical implications of the present findings, focusing on the mental health-related consequences of the social stigma of infertility heightened by the pressure of parenthood.

Optimism, Resilience, and Infertility-Specific Stress during Assisted Reproductive Technology

“…More precisely, it was found that perceived stress has a positive and moderate association with state anxiety, while the association between perceived stress and trait anxiety was also positive but weak. Our study disagrees with a previous study reporting a strong association between stress and anxiety among infertile women (Foti et al, 2023). Nevertheless, none of these studies used infertilespecific stress measures.…”

Maternity through assisted reproductive technology: a cross-sectional study on psychological experiences, couple relationship, and mother-child attachment

“…Infertility diagnosis often results in a widespread effect of feeling depressed, which can occur periodically during moments of distress or persistently [24]. From the individual's perspective, receiving a diagnosis of infertility creates an emotional state of significant anguish, particularly for women who may experience a strong sense of guilt for not fulfilling the societal expectation of becoming a mother [25]. Additionally, many women consider becoming a mother an essential aspect of their identity, so experiencing difficulties in procreation can make them feel worthless [26].…”