Making Sense of Memorable Messages About Infertility: Examining Message Valence by Theme and Sender

Area of Science:

• Communication Studies
• Reproductive Health
• Psychology

Background:

• Infertility, defined as the inability to conceive or maintain pregnancy after one year of trying, presents significant medical, emotional, and relational challenges.
• Communication surrounding infertility is complex, with even well-intentioned messages often perceived negatively.
• The study explores the impact of message perception on individuals undergoing fertility treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate memorable support messages for individuals experiencing infertility.
• To apply the Communicated Sense-Making (CSM) theory, focusing on memorable messages.
• To identify themes and patterns in supportive communication related to fertility challenges.

Main Methods:

• Utilized semi-structured interviews with 54 participants experiencing infertility.
• Applied the Communicated Sense-Making (CSM) framework to analyze memorable messages.
• Examined message themes, senders, and perceived valence (positive, negative, neutral).

Main Results:

• Identified five supra-themes of memorable messages: communicating solidarity, minimizing stress, showing investment, sharing expertise, and absolving responsibility.
• Discovered that message valence is influenced by the sender and perceived intention.
• Detailed sub-themes within each supra-theme provide nuanced understanding of message impact.

Conclusions:

• Understanding memorable messages is crucial for effective support in infertility.
• The study offers theoretical insights into CSM and practical implications for healthcare providers and support networks.
• Tailoring communication based on sender and perceived intent can enhance positive message reception.