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How do coping strategies influence fertility-related information seeking/avoidance?
Chloe May Smith1, Mei Yee Tang1,2, Gavin Clark1
1School of Psychology, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
Human Fertility (Cambridge, England)
|April 24, 2025
Summary
Women’s low fertility awareness (FA) is linked to how they cope. Using problem-focused coping increases seeking fertility information, boosting FA. Avoidant coping increases avoidance, lowering FA.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Psychology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Fertility awareness (FA) remains low among women, despite increased reproductive health discussions.
- Many women avoid essential fertility-related information (FRI), with limited research on psychological and behavioral factors.
- Existing studies link low FA to demographics, overlooking coping strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore how coping strategies (avoidant and problem-focused) influence fertility-related information (FRI) seeking and avoidance behaviors.
- To determine the effect of these behaviors on women's fertility awareness (FA).
- To investigate the moderating role of coping strategies on the relationship between FRI-seeking/avoidance and FA.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional survey of 216 UK women (aged 18-68).
- Data collected on demographics, FA, FRI-seeking/avoidance, and coping strategies.
- Multiple regression and moderation analyses were performed.
Main Results:
- FRI-seeking positively predicted FA (p < 0.001), while FRI-avoidance negatively predicted FA (p < 0.001).
- Avoidant coping predicted increased FRI-avoidance (p < 0.001) and moderated its negative impact on FA (p < 0.001).
- Problem-focused coping predicted increased FRI-seeking (p < 0.001) and moderated its positive impact on FA (p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Coping strategies significantly influence women's motivation to seek or avoid fertility information.
- Tailoring fertility education to individual coping styles can enhance engagement and FA.
- Informed fertility decision-making can be supported by addressing psychological and behavioral determinants of FA.
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