Arthur L Greil1, Julia McQuillan2, Andrea R Burch3, Michele H Lowry1, Stacy M Tiemeyer4, Kathleen S Slauson-Blevins5. 1. Division of Social Sciences, Alfred University, 1 Saxon Drive, Alfred, NY 14802. 2. Department of Sociology, University of Nebraska, 709 Oldfather Hall. Lincoln, NE 68588-0324. 3. Division of Counseling and School Psychology, Alfred University, Alfred University, 1 Saxon Drive, Alfred, NY 14802. 4. Department of Human Development and Family Science, Oklahoma State University, 2121 Main Hall, Tulsa, OK. 5. Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice, Old Dominion University, 6000Batten Arts & Letters.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the association between changes in life satisfaction and becoming a mother (or not) depends on fertility problem identification status. BACKGROUND: Evidence and symbolic interactionist theory suggest that, for women who initially perceive a fertility barrier, gaining the valued identity "mother" should be associated with increases, and continuing to face a blocked goal (i.e. not becoming a mother) should be associated with decreases in life satisfaction. METHOD: This study used the nationally representative two-wave National Survey of Fertility Barriers to conduct a change-score analysis with chained multiple imputation (MICE). The focal dependent variable was change in life satisfaction. Focal independent variables were Wave 1 life satisfaction, fertility problem identification status, and birth between waves, controlling for stability and change in relationship status, talking to a doctor about how to get pregnant, religiosity, social support, importance of parenthood, importance of leisure, importance of work success, and economic hardship. RESULTS: Among women who perceived a fertility problem at both waves, becoming a mother was associated with increased life satisfaction and not becoming a mother was associated with decreased life satisfaction. Women who gained or lost a fertility problem perception between waves but did not have a live birth experienced a gain in life satisfaction between waves, suggesting the relevance of the duration of fertility problem perception for change in life satisfaction.
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the association between changes in life satisfaction and becoming a mother (or not) depends on fertility problem identification status. BACKGROUND: Evidence and symbolic interactionist theory suggest that, for women who initially perceive a fertility barrier, gaining the valued identity "mother" should be associated with increases, and continuing to face a blocked goal (i.e. not becoming a mother) should be associated with decreases in life satisfaction. METHOD: This study used the nationally representative two-wave National Survey of Fertility Barriers to conduct a change-score analysis with chained multiple imputation (MICE). The focal dependent variable was change in life satisfaction. Focal independent variables were Wave 1 life satisfaction, fertility problem identification status, and birth between waves, controlling for stability and change in relationship status, talking to a doctor about how to get pregnant, religiosity, social support, importance of parenthood, importance of leisure, importance of work success, and economic hardship. RESULTS: Among women who perceived a fertility problem at both waves, becoming a mother was associated with increased life satisfaction and not becoming a mother was associated with decreased life satisfaction. Women who gained or lost a fertility problem perception between waves but did not have a live birth experienced a gain in life satisfaction between waves, suggesting the relevance of the duration of fertility problem perception for change in life satisfaction.
Entities:
Keywords:
longitudinal research; parents; reproductive health; transitions; well-being; women
Authors: Fernando Zegers-Hochschild; G David Adamson; Silke Dyer; Catherine Racowsky; Jacques de Mouzon; Rebecca Sokol; Laura Rienzi; Arne Sunde; Lone Schmidt; Ian D Cooke; Joe Leigh Simpson; Sheryl van der Poel Journal: Fertil Steril Date: 2017-07-29 Impact factor: 7.329