THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOCIAL SUPPORT AND MARITAL SATISFACTION IN INFERTILE WOMEN BASED ON INFERTILITY FACTOR

Nowadays infertility problem has become a social concern and is associated
with numerous social and psychological problems. The aim of this study was to determine the
relationship between social support and marital satisfaction among infertile women based on their
infertility factor.
Materials & Methods: The sample group was 50 women with female infertility factor and 50 women
with male infertility factor. The participants contacted upon their treatment course with Assisted
Reproductive Technology (ART) in Mehr infertility clinic. ENRICH marital satisfaction questionnaire
and Sarason social support questionnaire were used during this study. For data analysis beside
descriptive statistic, T test, chi-squared (χ²) and Pearson’s correlation were used.
Results: Data analysis showed that women with female infertility factor received less social support
comparing to the women with male infertility factor. Also the level of marital satisfaction in women
with male infertility factor was more than women with female infertility factor (P<0/019). There is
relationship between marital satisfaction and social support in infertile women.
Conclusion: The results showed there is a significant relationship between social support and marital
satisfaction in infertile women. Also women based on their infertility factor have different attitude
toward seeking social support