Abstract
Purpose: This study explores factors influencing the quality of life of infertile men, and attempts to construct a structural model to predict their quality of life. Methods: Data was collected via questionnaires from 242 infertile male outpatients from 3 infertile clinics at general hospital urologist departments, with the subjects’ confidentiality was ensured. The self-reported questionnaires were collected for 7 months from February to August 2016 in the outpatient centers. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS/WIN 21.0 Program and Mplus 6.0 Program. Results: Hypothesis test of the quality of life as the endogenous variable identified infertility-related stress (β=-0.79, t=-9.41), depression (β=-0.20, t=-2.58), and spirituality (β=0.21, t=2.90) as statistically significant variables. Marital adjustment (β=-0.06, t=-0.69) and social support (β=-0.12, t=-1.79) were not statistically significant. The variables accounted for 84.1% of the variation. Conclusion: The results of the study show that infertility-related stress and depression have negative correlation, and spirituality has a positive correlation with infertile men’s quality of life. As such, there needs to be a development of practical and multi-faceted nursing intervention programs to control infertility-related stress and depression levels so as to sustain infertile men’s quality of life.
Highlights
World Health Organization (WHO) reported that about 15% of married couples within the fertility period are infertile couples [1]
The model consisted of 2 exogenous variables and 4 endogenous variables. The former type of variables are infertility and social support and the latter are depression, marital adaptation, spirituality and quality of life. It was set up in such a way that the two exogenous variables of infertility stress and social support would have a direct effect on their quality of life and that depression, marital adaptation and spirituality would directly influence their quality of life
Considering the period of marriage, 47.1% of them had been married for more than 1 year and less than 3 years, 24.4% for 3 to 5 years and 22.3% for less than a year. 42.6% of them lived with a monthly income of more than 500 million won. 48.8% were nonsmokers. 41.3% of them mentioned that they drink once or twice per week. 61.6% answered that they were not participating in any physical workout. 80.2% of them said that they would stay at work for 9 to 12 hours per day
Summary
World Health Organization (WHO) reported that about 15% of married couples within the fertility period are infertile couples [1]. It was reported that 27.7% of the infertile patients diagnosed with other diseases had mental problems, including depression and nervous breakdown [5]. Such negative experiences would play a crucial role in affecting every aspect of their lives as well as daily routines. These infertile men often experience psychological/emotional symptoms such as anxiety, depression, a sense of isolation and guilt after they recognize their infertility [6] Such stress may be partly attributable to the Korean traditional value system, since marriage is perceived as a process of giving birth and producing the generations
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
