Factors Associated with Marital Satisfaction of Women Under Infertility Treatments

ABSTRACT

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.