A qualitative study of the factors that help the coping of infertile women

Abstract

Abstract Aim The study describes the factors that help the coping of infertile women. Design A qualitative study. Methods Purposive sampling was used in gathering the data from the Finnish Infertility Associations closed discussion forum on Facebook. An electronic questionnaire included structured background questions and a qualitative open‐ended question related to the factors that help coping. In total, 101 women participated voluntarily in the study. The participants had at least a 1‐year personal experience of infertility. The data was analysed using inductive content analysis. Results The factors that helped the coping of infertile women were personal resources such as mental well‐being and having good abilities to deal with the issue. Also, a well‐functioning relationship and getting help contributed to coping. Coping was also positively influenced by the ability to adapt to a childless life, which included having comforting thoughts, doing things that brought relief and orientating thinking towards the future.

Keywords

• coping
• infertility
• qualitative research
• women