Infertility-related stress and specific aspects of the marital relationship

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In all or most cultures, the experience of infertility has the potential to threaten the well-being ofindividuals and relationships. The marital relationship of couples experiencing infertility mightbe impacted negatively by infertility-related stress. This study aimed primarily to examine thenature of the relationship between perceived infertility-related stress, experienced by husbandsand wives in infertile couples, and four specific aspects of the marital relationship. In addition, itwas examined whether there were significant differences in four specific aspects of the maritalrelationship between infertile couples at the onset of different types of infertility treatment, and apregnant control group.This cross-sectional, baseline study utilised standardised self-report questionnaires to make onceoffassessments of infertility-related stress and four specific aspects of the marital relationship:communication, satisfaction with the sexual relationship, intimacy, and marital adjustment. Thedemographic characteristics of the participants were also recorded. A total of 84 women and 32men from two infertility clinics in the Western Cape (N = 116) were studied.From calculating Pearson correlation coefficients, highly significant correlations (p < .001) werefound between infertility-related stress and all aspects of the marital relationship as measured inthis study. Multiple regression analyses revealed communication as an important predictor ofaspects of the marital relationship, in addition to infertility-related stress as a predictor.ANOVAs revealed no significant differences in specific aspects of the marital relationshipbetween the infertile groups and the pregnant control group.The findings suggest that high levels of infertility-related stress might be detrimental to the wellbeingof the marital relationship of couples experiencing infertility. In addition, the importanceof communication as a buffer against the potential negative effects of infertility-related stresswas emphasised. Future research should incorporate a longitudinal design and investigate thenature of the relationship between infertility-related stress and the marital relationship.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University