Psychosocial and contextual determinants of health among infertile women: A cross-cultural study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of emotional intelligence, social support and contextual factors on the general health of infertile women. A sample of involuntarily childless women aged 25–45 living in the UK (n = 148) and Pakistan (n = 164) completed a self-administered questionnaire. Although there were no significant differences in total scores on the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), British women reported greater anxiety, insomnia and social dysfunction, and Pakistani women reported greater depression and somatic symptoms. Important differences in putative correlates of GHQ scores were found between the samples. British women reported significantly greater emotional satisfaction, greater satisfaction with medical information, greater satisfaction with medical care, and greater actual received support Pakistani women reported greater emotional intelligence. Regression analysis to identify correlates of higher GHQ scores revealed that greater received social support was a common correlate of better GHQ scores among British and Pakistani women. Additional correlates of better GHQ scores among British women were greater emotional intelligence and more emotional satisfaction in their relationships (overall R2 = 0.41). Additional correlates among Pakistani women were greater education, greater perceived available social support and a nuclear family system rather than an extended family (overall R2 =0. 40). Results suggest that psychological facets of infertility should be addressed as part of a holistic approach to the care of infertile women. They highlight a need to improve social support and to incorporate emotional intelligence training in therapeutic interventions to improve the psychological well-being of infertile women.