The Psichological Well-being of Women Experiencing Infertility

Sabaitytė, E. (2018). The Psichological Well-being of Women Experiencing Infertility. (Health Psychology Master‘s thesis). Supervisor: prof. dr. Nida Žemaitienė. Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Medical Academy, Faculty of Public Health, Department of Health Psychology: Kaunas. – 98 p. Research problem: infertility is not only woman’s or family’s problem, but it is also all society’s problem which affects psychological and sociological well-being, social relationships of a person and economic, demographic and health factors of the whole country. Therefore, it is important to develop complex approach to this problem and problem’s solution options. However, many research focus on interference of medicine when examining the issue and thus, there is little information about psychological and sociological effects of infertility. Methods: mixed research strategy was chosen. The study involved 109 women who can not get a baby. For research was created questionnaire, which consisted of Lithuanian psychologic well-being scale for adults, (LPGS-S), Fertility Quality of Life questionnaire (FertiQoL) and additional questions about infertility and treatment experience. Qualitative part of the research involved 5 women, data was collected using depth interviewing method, analysed based on A. Giorgi phenomenological analysis method Results: the study seek to disclose women’s psychological well-being, fertility-related quality of life, self-relationship and the need and availability of psychological help. It has been determined that the psychological well-being of women who are unable to get a child is average and is related to education (β=2,217, p=0,003), assuming responsibility for treatment (β=-1,402; p=0,001), support from people who have same experience (β=-1,229; p=0,004) and trust in the doctor (β=1,209; p=0,029). In terms of treatment-related factors, psychological well-being relates to the duration of treatment for infertility and the number of doctors replaced. The unsuccessful attempt to get a baby, women's quality of life it most affected by negative emotions, but at least in a relationship with a partner. Women who can not get a baby, encounter infertility are faced with the need for emotional support and psychological help, but only a small part dare to look for it. Main insights: inadequately trying to get a baby, inevitably encounter women with negative infertility feelings, more and more complicated communication with other pregnant women, young children and the surrounding ones who hurts their interference in the planning of a couple's family. Infertility in women's lives exists as a natural part of it, and it often does not cause difficulties until it is touched