Fertility-Related Stress and Mental Health Outcomes in Women with Reproductive Health Issues

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the moderating effect of the family system while exploring the association between fertility-related stress and mental health outcomes among women experiencing reproductive health problems. Purposive convenience sampling was used to recruit married women (n = 500, M = 28.1, SD = 5.5) from fertility clinics and hospitals who had been diagnosed with reproductive health issues. Depression, anxiety, stress, and fertility-related stress were measured using standardized tools. The findings showed a positive correlation between fertility-related stress and mental health outcomes, and also individually with anxiety, stress, and depression, suggesting that higher fertility-related stress is related to poorer mental wellness. Family system acted as a positive predictor, as there is a significant difference, with women from nuclear families (M = 60.3, SD = 14.3) reporting higher infertility-related stress compared to women from joint families (M = 57.1, SD = 15.1). Furthermore, educational level was found to be a major factor; women with higher levels of education (M = 57.2, SD = 14.5) reported less fertility-related stress than women with lower or no education (M = 60.7, SD = 15.1). This highlights just how important social and educational support can be when it comes to coping with infertility. According to the study's findings, women who struggle with fertility problems may gain support from treatments that focus on minimizing stress, family involvement, and reproductive health awareness.