International Journal of Nursing

The Effect of Family Structure and Family Support on Women’s Coping with Fertility Treatments – A Systematic Review
Limor Rimer RN MPA

Abstract
Introduction: The use of innovative fertility treatments contributed to the creation of new family structures that did not exist before, such as single-sex families and single-parent families. In the past, the only acceptable way to have a child was within marriage, nowadays the "ticking biological clock" drives many women in the late 30s to seek fertility treatments to fulfill their dream of become a mother. Aim: To examine three main family structures: married couple, one-parent family and single-sex family, as well as the coping of women undergoing fertility treatments, the difficulties they experience during treatment and their support systems. Materials and Methods: a questionnaire that evaluates coping with the fertility treatments and their support systems, if they exist. The questionnaire was distributed to 450 women aged 20-45 undergoing fertility treatments. In addition, interviews of 15 patients overall (5 of each family structure) Results: sample was divided into 3 groups of women: married, single and with female partner. single women conducted more treatments (73.3%) in comparison with married women (65.3%) and women with female partner (54.7%). women with female partner reported higher partners' support in comparison with married women (F (1,298) =121.57, p <.01). Conclusions: family structure affects women's coping with fertility treatments. Married women reported more emotional support from their family than single women and women with female partner, hence, they reported fewer negative emotions and more hope regarding the treatments. On the other hand, results showed that women with female partner reported higher partners’ support in comparison with their married counterparts.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/ijn.v6n2a11