Factors Associated with Marital Satisfaction of Women Under Infertility Treatments

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to determine the infertility stress, marital intimacy, and marital satisfaction of women under infertility treatment, and to reveal associated factors of marital satisfaction. METHODS: As a descriptive correlation study, data was collected from 174 women under infertility treatment. Data was analysed using χ2-test, t-test, ANOVA, pearson's correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression. RESULTS: Infertility stress, marital intimacy, and marital satisfaction averaged 3.20±.3 (range of scale 1~5), 3.53±.5, and 3.74±.6, respectively. The marital satisfaction varied with a statistical significance by the spouse's attitude about infertility treatment and financial burden on infertility treatments. Marital satisfaction had a positive correlation with infertility stress (r=.526, p<.001) and marital intimacy (r=.637, p<.001). We also identified the marital intimacy as the most influencing factor and the infertility stress as the second most influencing factor on the infertile women's marital satisfaction. CONCLUSION: This research provided a valuable opportunity to recognize infertility as a marital, family, and societal problem, which calls for relational support as well as personal support. The infertility experts need to recognize both the personal and relational aspects of the infertility problem, and make various efforts to promote the reproductive health of the infertile patients.

Experience of People Living with HIV Working as Caregivers for AIDS Patients / 정신간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate in-depth and to understand the experience of people living with HIV who work as caregivers for patients with AIDS. METHODS: Data were collected from December 2010 to April 2011 through focus group and in-depth interviews. Ten people with HIV who work as caregivers for patients with AIDS participated in the research. Data were analyzed using Colaizzi's method (1978). RESULTS: The results showed the important themes to be 'feelings of sympathy', 'burden of caregiving', 'identifying one's own self-worth' and 'hoping for a meaningful future'. People with HIV experienced deep empathy with patients with AIDS, and, even though they suffered physical and emotional distress from the caregiving process, they felt a sense of self-worth and found their existence connected with the world. Furthermore, they were taking more active care of themselves and hoping for a meaningful future. CONCLUSION: For successful social adaptation of people with HIV currently in job-seeking activities, various vocational rehabilitation services are necessary. The results of this study could be used in developing effective social support services for people living with HIV attempting workforce re-entry.