Women’s Health: Dimensions of Depression, Coping Strategies and Social Support Among Infertile Women - A Perspective Review

Abstract

Procreation is one of the inherited roles of humanity. Failure to achieve this may make society and individuals feel less capable, which can lead to psychological disorders such as anxiety and depression. Infertility is an unpleasant state a couple will never hope for. However, when infertility occurs, a deliberate effort should be made to find solution to it before its effects begin to manifest on the couple. Patriarchal societies prevail in many parts of the world. Therefore, infertility is usually seen as the fault of the women. Hence, the whole blame of infertility is on the women making infertile women to go into depression easily. This study aimed to review perspectively the dimensions of depression, coping strategies, and social support among infertile women. Past relevant literatures from different databases including Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, ResearchGate, Semantic Scholar, Zenodo, CINAHL, DOAJ, EMBASE, JSTOR, and MEDLINE on the topic were searched online and reviewed. Advancement in technology has been of great benefits to the healthcare system. However, the rigorousness and cost of infertility have to be looked into. Psychological therapy needs to be included in the care of infertile women at gynecology clinics. Of paramount importance is the need for a paradigm shift in the society so as to reduce the incidence and severity of depression among infertile women.