a School of Nursing and Health Studies , Open University of Hong Kong , Kowloon , Hong Kong.
b School of Arts and Social Sciences , Open University of Hong Kong , Kowloon , Hong Kong.
Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being. 2018 Dec;13(1):1554023. doi: 10.1080/17482631.2018.1554023.
This study aims to explore and describe the phenomenon of women with infertility and to enhance understanding on how infertility affects their lives and the specific social consequence they encountered.
A qualitative phenomenological design was adopted in this study. A total of 13 women who are infertile participated in the study. A snowball sampling method was adopted. Data were analysed through thematic analysis.
Four themes emerged in the study, including (i) non-escapable cultural burden in Chinese family; (ii) psychological distress: isolation caused by envy; (iii) disappointment towards reproductive health services; and (iv) self-compassion and religion as coping strategies.
The causes of infertility are highly complex. Apart from medical conditions, many social conditions would also probably trigger the difficulty of conceiving. Health care professional should also focus on the social and psychological aspects of women of infertility.
本研究旨在探讨和描述不孕女性的现象，并深入了解不孕对她们生活的影响以及她们所遭遇的特定社会后果。
本研究采用定性现象学设计。共有 13 名不孕女性参与了研究。采用滚雪球抽样法。通过主题分析对数据进行分析。
研究中出现了四个主题，包括（一）中国家庭中不可逃避的文化负担；（二）心理困扰：因嫉妒而产生的孤立；（三）对生殖健康服务的失望；以及（四）自我同情和宗教作为应对策略。
不孕的原因非常复杂。除了医疗条件外，许多社会状况也可能导致受孕困难。医疗保健专业人员还应关注不孕女性的社会和心理方面。
