The psychological dimensions of infertility.
Psychological reactions of childless couples applying to an adoption agency are examined. Infertility can be a developmental life crisis and may be experienced as a narcissistic trauma, resolution of which depends upon individual character structure. Intrapsychic tasks include acceptance and working though of grief for the loss of the self-ideal, restitution of body-image deficiency, and assessment of the importance of parenthood as a developmental phase. An adaptive resolution is seen as a necessary condition for successful adoptive parenting.
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000300:Adoption; D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image; D002669:Child Welfare; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007246:Infertility / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage; D009289:Narcissism