Influence of Infertility and Fertility Adjustment on Marital Satisfaction

BackgroundInfertility requires medical attention and treatment. It is also a disturbing life event with implications in dimensions of the individuals’ and the infertile couples’ lives (personal, relational and social).Research questionWhat factors influence marital satisfaction in couples with infertility problems?ObjectivesDetermine the influence of socio-demographic and obstetric variables, as well as personal history in the adjustment to fertility and marital satisfaction; evaluate the influence of infertility and fertility adjustment on marital satisfaction.MethodsIt is a quantitative study with a 106 women being followed at the reproductive medicine unit of Center of Portugal. Data collection was through a questionnaire comprising a socio-demographic component, obstetric history, personal history and Fertility Adjustment Scale (Leal, 2010, ) and Evaluation Scale regarding Marital Life Satisfaction (Narciso & Costa, 1996) scales.ResultsThe adjustment to fertility is influenced by age and by the existence of previous pregnancies on “Total Adjustment” (p = 0,013 and p = 0,026, respectively) and by the number of services one attends, in “Life on Hold” (p = 0,024). Marital satisfaction, is influenced by education level and the beginning of infertility treatments on “Sexuality” (p = 0,039).ConclusionIn this research, it became clear that the adjustment to fertility may not influence at all marital satisfaction; however it influences very important aspects of the couple's life. Thus, aspects of marital satisfaction will influence determinants of fertility adjustment, such as “Emotional Intimacy”, “Sexuality” and “Communication/Conflict” in “Life on Hold” and “Autonomy” in “Parenting”.