Exploring post-traumatic growth in women experiencing infertility: levels and mechanisms

Does post-traumatic growth occur in women experiencing infertility, and what mechanisms underlie its development, particularly regarding the roles of self-disclosure and rumination?

Mixed-methods design. Semi-structured interviews explored lived experiences of post-traumatic growth with 12 patients. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 258 women using the Chinese versions of the Post-traumatic Growth Inventory, Distress Disclosure Index and Event-Related Rumination Inventory. Group comparisons, multiple linear regression and Pearson correlation analyses were conducted. Structural equation modelling with bootstrapping tested the mediating role of deliberate rumination.

Qualitative analysis identified three main themes and seven sub-themes, encompassing emotional responses, factors that may create conditions for growth, and manifestations of post-traumatic growth. Quantitative findings indicated that overall levels of post-traumatic growth, self-disclosure and rumination were moderate, with deliberate rumination being particularly prominent. Age, educational level and self-perceived personality orientation (exploratory variable), along with monthly household income and co-residence with parents, were significantly associated with post-traumatic growth (each P < 0.05). Both self-disclosure and deliberate rumination were positively correlated with post-traumatic growth (P < 0.01). Multiple linear regression analysis further identified self-disclosure and deliberate rumination as significant positive predictors of post-traumatic growth (each P < 0.001). Furthermore, structural equation modelling revealed that deliberate rumination partially mediated the relationship between self-disclosure and post-traumatic growth, accounting for 10.54% of the total effect.

Women experiencing infertility can achieve post-traumatic growth despite psychological distress. Self-disclosure promotes post-traumatic growth directly and indirectly via deliberate rumination, highlighting modifiable cognitive mechanisms that may inform psychological interventions in reproductive care.