Yael Benyamini1, Miri Gozlan2, Ariel Weissman3. 1. Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel Aviv University, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel. benyael@post.tau.ac.il. 2. Women's Health Center, Maccabi Health Services, 1 Lishansky St, Rishon LeZion, Israel. 3. IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Infertility could be highly stressful, particularly in a pronatalist culture. We aimed to develop the concept and a measure of normalization (maintaining normal life routines and feeling "normal") as a strategy that could enable women with infertility maintain their quality of life (QoL) while coping with this condition. We tested its associations with women's well-being, distress and QoL in Israel, where being childless is socially unacceptable and highly stigmatized. METHODS: One-hundred and eighty Israeli women undergoing infertility treatment at a fertility community clinic filled in questionnaires assessing normalization-related coping strategies, QoL, and psychological adjustment (distress, wellbeing). Eight months later, 55 women conceived; 55 women who had not conceived completed a second questionnaire. RESULTS: At baseline, normalization was related to higher QoL and better adjustment. Structural equation modeling showed that QoL was impaired mainly among women who felt different than others, compared, and blamed themselves. Over time, normalization was overall unrelated to conception or to changes in adjustment yet was protective against decrease in well-being among women who already had a child. CONCLUSIONS: Infertility is highly stressful in a pronatalist culture like Israel. It requires treatment yet is not disabling. Patients who manage to maintain normal routines and not feel different than other people their age may experience better QoL and psychological adjustment.
PURPOSE:Infertility could be highly stressful, particularly in a pronatalist culture. We aimed to develop the concept and a measure of normalization (maintaining normal life routines and feeling "normal") as a strategy that could enable women with infertility maintain their quality of life (QoL) while coping with this condition. We tested its associations with women's well-being, distress and QoL in Israel, where being childless is socially unacceptable and highly stigmatized. METHODS: One-hundred and eighty Israeli women undergoing infertility treatment at a fertility community clinic filled in questionnaires assessing normalization-related coping strategies, QoL, and psychological adjustment (distress, wellbeing). Eight months later, 55 women conceived; 55 women who had not conceived completed a second questionnaire. RESULTS: At baseline, normalization was related to higher QoL and better adjustment. Structural equation modeling showed that QoL was impaired mainly among women who felt different than others, compared, and blamed themselves. Over time, normalization was overall unrelated to conception or to changes in adjustment yet was protective against decrease in well-being among women who already had a child. CONCLUSIONS:Infertility is highly stressful in a pronatalist culture like Israel. It requires treatment yet is not disabling. Patients who manage to maintain normal routines and not feel different than other people their age may experience better QoL and psychological adjustment.
Entities:
Keywords:
Coping; Distress; Infertility; Normalization; Quality of life; Well-being
Authors: Alice Domar; Keith Gordon; Juan Garcia-Velasco; Antonio La Marca; Paul Barriere; Fabiola Beligotti Journal: Hum Reprod Date: 2012-02-07 Impact factor: 6.918