Managing multiple goals during fertility treatment: An interpretative phenomenological analysis

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Sociology
• Reproductive Medicine

Background:

• Infertility research often prioritizes the goal of biological parenthood.
• Patient experiences during fertility treatment are complex and multifaceted.
• Existing models may not fully capture the range of goals individuals pursue.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how men and women perceive and manage multiple goals during fertility treatment.
• To explore the interplay between the desire for biological parenthood and other life goals.
• To apply the self-regulation model to understand fertility treatment experiences.

Main Methods:

• Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) of semi-structured interviews.
• Inclusion of both male and female partners from heterosexual couples.
• Longitudinal data collection over a 6-month period.

Main Results:

• The goal of biological parenthood, while significant, was balanced with other priorities.
• Participants actively managed emotional well-being, financial concerns, and relationship quality.
• Individual importance of biological parenthood varied among participants.

Conclusions:

• Fertility treatment involves navigating a complex web of personal and relational goals.
• The self-regulation model provides a comprehensive framework for understanding these experiences.
• A broader conceptualization beyond biological parenthood is crucial for supporting patients.