PSYCHOSOCIAL CHALLENGES OF INFERTILITY FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF IRANIAN WOMEN: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

Background & Aims: Although infertility is a medical condition, its dimensions and consequences go beyond the biological and physical realms and have psychosocial dimensions and consequences. This is especially important for women, given the socio-cultural requirements of Iranian society. The aim of the present study is to explore the psychosocial challenges of infertility from the perspective of Iranian women. Materials & Methods: The present study is of qualitative type and based on grounded theory. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 33 infertile women referred to Milad fertility clinic and health treatment Center in Mashhad. The process of collecting data continued until the theoretical saturation of the data. All interviews were recorded with the prior consent of the participants. The analysis of the present research data was performed by Strauss and Corbin method using MAXQDA software. Results: Analysis of interviews with participants led to the emergence of three main classes of microsystem, mesosystem, and macrosystem and 12 sub-classes of emotional challenge, physical challenge, information challenge, relationship with spouse, relationship with family, relationship with family friends, the influence of society and culture, the influence of religion, and the influence of the macroeconomic system. Conclusion: Diagnosis and treatment of infertility is a difficult experience for women. In addition to the personal challenges such as shock from diagnosis and depression, infertility affects social relationship with others such as spouse, family, and friends, as well as the worldview of infertile women. Each of these topics can be considered as a potential therapeutic goal and used to design therapeutic interventions.