Perceptions of Iranian Women of Their Spouse Behaviors Related to Male Factor Infertility: a Qualitative Study

Background: Infertility, as a life crisis, affects women more than men even when women are not infertile. This article aims to determine the Perceptions and experiences of Iranian women of their spouse behaviors related to male factor infertility.Methods: this qualitative study was performed using content analysis. A purposeful sampling method was performed among women referring to Milad Fertility Clinic and Health Care Centers in 2014-2015 in Mashhad, Iran. Their husbands were infertile. Data were collected using semi-structured in-depth interviews. MAXqda and Conventional Content Analysis were employed to analyze the data. Lincoln and Guba s Evaluative Criteria were employed to check the trustworthiness.Results: Perceived Spousal Emotional Distress was the main topic which consisted of three sub-categories: 1- Chaotic Emotion of Husband with the following sub- sub- categories: Feelings of Inferiority and Incompetence , Emotional Dependence on Others , Isolationism in Life , Irritability and Arrogant Ideas , Pessimism and Cynicism , and Anxiety and Aggressive Behavior ; 2- Husband s reluctance to seek treatment including Inattention to medical prescriptions , Resistance to sperm analysis test , and opposition to assisted reproductive technology and adoption ; and 3- Husband s empathizing with others children including Husband s love to the children of others Financial support from others children . Conclusion: Male infertility can lead to marital problems and mistreatment toward women. Supportive and preventive measures are required to improve the condition of such women.

کلیدواژه ها:

Male infertility ، women ، spouse behaviors ، qualitative study