Assessment of Infertility Related Stress and Perceived Social Support among Women Seeking Treatment for Infertility in a Selected Treatment Centre, Kottayam

Infertility is considered as a crisis in couple's life. The society has a stigmatized view on infertile couples which influences their social support, family and personal life also. It is one of the most stressful experience in a woman's life. The stress associated with it will have a significant impact on their life.

A quantitative approach with descriptive research design was used. The sample consisted of conveniently selected 100 women seeking treatment for infertility in a selected treatment centre. The tools administered were socio demographic profile of the subject and the two standardized tools (Fertility Problem Inventory and Multi-dimensional Scale for Perceived Social Support) through structured interview schedule.

Most of the subjects (64%) had moderately high infertility related stress followed by average level (36%). The most stressful domains were rejection of childfree life style (mean percentage 77.97%) and need for parenthood (mean percentage 75.38%). Seventy percentage of the subjects received moderate social support 30% received high social support. High support was received from partners (mean percentage 75.14%) followed by family (mean percentage 72.17%). A highly significant weak positive correlation was found between infertility related stress and perceived social support (r=0.403, df =98, p<0.01). A statistically significant association was found (χ²= 4.742, df=1, p<0.05). Statistically significant association was found between perceived social support and selected client variables like duration of (χ²(χ²= 8.279, df=1, p<0.01) and ART procedures (χ²= 10.823, df=1, p<0.01).

based on the findings it is concluded that women seeking treatment for infertility experience average to moderately high levels of stress and perceived social support has an influence on infertility related stress.