Mental health and marital quality of infertile women

Pages: 578-582
Zainab Ahmed (Clinical Psychologist, Department of Health & Family Welfare, Govt of West Bengal)
Sanjukta Das (Department of Psychology, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, West Bengal)
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Infertility is a global health issue affecting 8-12% of couples worldwide with incidence of 12-13.5% among married couples in India. The objective was to study the relationship between mental health and marital quality of infertile women.30 married infertile women (diagnosed with female causes for infertility) and 30 married fertile women were assessed using GHQ 28 and Marital Quality Scale. The data was statistically analysed and conclusions drawn. Interviews of the infertile women were recorded, transcript prepared and Thematic analysis done. There is no significant relationship between fertility status and marital quality. However a significant positive correlation exists between mental health and fertility status, with the infertile women having more poor mental health. There is a significant positive relation between mental health and marital quality in the infertile as well in the fertile group but no significant difference in this relationship exists between the groups. The themes identified from the infertile women’s perception of their marital life, were maladaptive self appraisal and focus on effective marriages. In the field of counselling of infertile women, it would be useful to focus on their psychological health which in turn will improve the quality of their marital life.