The Psycho-social effects of infertility on a couple : a medical social work perspective

Abstract

This research is aimed at studying and describing the psychosocial effects of infertility on couples. Infertility is a reasonably new field of specialization in Medical Social Work, with a limited amount of research findings and literature available. A definite need for research therefore exists in this field. The stages and procedures of research used in this study are firstly described, as well as the problems experienced with the study and definitions of terms used. Subsequently, infertility is described in detail to provide the necessary knowledge of and insight into the problem and also to understand what infertile couples have to endure during the whole treatment period. This includes the initial interview, the medical investigations, the causes of infertility, the treatment procedures av.ailable and the psycho-social effects of infertility. The roles, tasks, skills and knowledge of the medical social worker in a multi-professional health setting are described next, followed by a guideline for medical social workers as regards the infertile couple at an Infertility Clinic. This guideline describes the roles and tasks of the medical social worker regarding each step of the entire infertility treatment plan. Hereafter the research findings and graphical representations of this exploratory and descriptive study of the psycho-social effects of infertility on couples, are presented and discussed. The hypothesis for this study: "Infertility has various psychosocial effects on a couple" is accordingly supported. Finally the general summary, conclusions and recommendations arising from this study are provided.