title: Cognitive emotional consequences of male infertility in their female partners: a qualitative content analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Infertility, as a global phenomenon and one of the most important issues of reproductive health, affects women more often than men, even when the infertility is due to a male factor. The purpose of this study was to explore the cognitive emotional experiences of women faced with male infertility.
  
  
  METHODS
  This qualitative study was conducted in 2014-2015 in Mashhad, Iran. The perceptions and experiences of healthy women whose husbands were diagnosed with primary male factor infertility were investigated using a qualitative content analysis approach. Participants were selected through purposeful sampling, and data collection was conducted using in-depth semistructured interviews. Data were analyzed using conventional content analysis with MAXqda software. Study rigor was verified via criteria proposed by Lincoln and Guba.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One main theme emerged through analysis entitled "cognitive emotional reactions confronting infertility diagnosis" with sub-themes of cognitive emotional reactions when confronted with male infertility diagnosis with subthemes of disbelief and denial, fear and apprehension, suffering and emotional distress, disappointment, frustration, confusion, and joy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The diagnosis of male infertility was associated with important emotional cognitive consequences for their female partners. Emotional support, providing new insights into how to treat the issue, and trying to shorten the process of diagnosis are necessary for these women. This kind of support could reduce the psychological effects of confrontation with the diagnosis of male infertility, including social insecurity for women.
authors.affiliation: Ph.D. Student of Reproductive Health, Student Research Committee, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Fatemeh Zahra
authors.initials: FZ
authors.lastname: Karimi
authors.affiliation: Ph.D. Associate Professor of Epidemiology, Health Sciences Research Centre, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Health, University of Medical Science, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Taghipour
authors.affiliation: Ph.D. Associate Professor of Reproductive Health, Research Centre for Patient Safety, Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Science, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Robab Latifnejad
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Roudsari
authors.affiliation: Ph.D. Associate Professor, Department of Education, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Seyed Ali
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Kimiaei
authors.affiliation: M.Sc. of Nursing, Lecturer, Evidence-Based Care Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Seyed Reza
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Mazlom
authors.affiliation: M.D., Assistant Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Women's Health Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Maliheh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Amirian
keywords: cognition; content analysis; emotional; male infertility; women