Spiritual Well-Being and Associated Factors among Women with Primary Infertility Attributed to Male-Factor Infertility: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Infertility is associated with substantial psychological and spiritual distress. In pronatalist societies, women with primary infertility—even when attributed to male-factor causes—often experience disproportionate stigma and emotional burden. Spiritual well-being (SWB) may serve as an important coping resource. This study aimed to assess SWB and its socio-demographic, clinical, and interpersonal determinants among women with male-factor primary infertility. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study (۲۰۲۴–۲۰۲۵), ۱۵۰ women with confirmed male-factor primary infertility who were candidates for intrauterine insemination (IUI) were recruited using proportionate stratified sampling from two tertiary infertility centers in Kerman, Iran. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and the Paloutzian and Ellison Spiritual Well-Being Scale. Statistical analyses included independent-samples t-tests and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: The mean age of participants was ۳۱.۳۶±۵.۱۲ years, and the mean duration of infertility was ۴.۷۸±۳.۳۷ years. Mean scores were ۳۵.۲۹±۳.۸۶ for existential well-being, ۲۸.۰۱±۳.۲۲ for religious well-being, and ۶۳.۳۰±۵.۷۶ for total SWB, indicating a moderate level. Higher educational level was significantly associated with existential well-being and total SWB (P=۰.۰۰۳ and P=۰.۰۰۲, respectively). Greater religious adherence was associated with higher total SWB (P=۰.۰۴۸). Perceived family support was significantly associated with all SWB dimensions (P<۰.۰۵). The number of prior IUI attempts was positively associated with religious well-being and total SWB (P=۰.۰۰۹ and P=۰.۰۰۸, respectively). Conclusion: Women with male-factor primary infertility demonstrated a moderate level of SWB, influenced by educational level, religiosity, family support, and treatment history. Integrating holistic, family-centered, and culturally sensitive spiritual care into infertility services may help reduce psychosocial burden and improve overall well-being.

کلیدواژه ها:

Family support ، Infertility treatment ، Iran ، Male-factor infertility ، Primary infertility ، spiritual well-being