The effect of stigma on level of ınfertility-related psychological distress in women with infertility

Muazez Küçükkaya, Meral Kiliç

Abstract

This study was conducted to examine the effect of stigma on level of ınfertility-related psychological distress of women with infertility. Descriptive study was conducted in infertility clinics in Turkey. This study was completed with 198 infertile women. Infertility Distress Scale was 42.69±7.79, the mean total score of the Infertility Stigma Scale was 52.80±23.44. It was found that the psychological effect of infertility increased among women as the Infertility Stigma Scale total scores and its sub-dimension scores increased. Developing appropriate interventions by considering infertility and the level of being affected by stigma allows women to cope with this process in a healthier way, which is thought to increase the success of women's treatment. (Afr J Reprod Health 2022; 26[2]: 13-25).

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