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Related Experiment Videos

Infertility as boundary ambiguity: one theoretical perspective.

L H Burns

    Family Process
    |September 1, 1987
    PubMed
    Summary

    Infertility causes stress for childless couples, who experience ambiguous family boundaries. They may feel a child is psychologically present but physically absent during their transition to parenthood.

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    Area of Science:

    • Psychology
    • Sociology
    • Family Studies

    Background:

    • Infertility is a significant life event with diverse conceptual understandings.
    • Existing frameworks include developmental crisis, grief, marital disruption, identity issues, and decision-making challenges.
    • Stress theory and boundary ambiguity offer novel perspectives on infertility's impact.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To propose that involuntarily childless couples experience infertility as a stress of boundary ambiguity.
    • To explore the concept of not knowing who is within or outside the family system.
    • To examine the psychological presence of a desired but physically absent child.

    Main Methods:

    • This article presents a theoretical hypothesis.
    • It applies stress theory and the construct of boundary ambiguity.
    • The focus is on the conceptualization of the infertile couple's experience.

    Main Results:

    • Involuntarily childless couples may perceive infertility through the lens of boundary ambiguity.
    • This ambiguity relates to the uncertainty of family system membership.
    • The desired child can be experienced as psychologically present yet physically absent.

    Conclusions:

    • Infertility can be understood as a stress of boundary ambiguity for couples.
    • This perspective enhances understanding of the psychosocial impact of infertility.
    • The experience highlights the complex emotional and familial dynamics involved in the transition to parenthood.

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