Psychological reaction to infertility.

Abstract

44 individuals (22 couples) who unsuccessfully had sought medical assistance for infertility and had made application to adopt were tested for their psychological reactions to infertility. On a specially designed version of the Semantic Differential subjects' reaction to infertility was neutral or a strong positive or negative evaluation was absent. Data from the Adjective Check List indicated subjects characterized themselves as not intraceptive and defensive. Earlier literature on the psychological reactions to infertility indicated subjects react overtly with feelings of disappointment and despair. Discrepancy in findings between this writer's data and earlier findings appears to be related to the lapse of time between subjects' discovering their infertility and their response to research questionnaires. An initial reaction to infertility may be so painful for individuals wanting children that a denial of these feelings occurs. After parenthood has been achieved such as through adoption, subjects often are able to recognize the intensity of their initial feelings and the way in which they handled their reactions.