title: Gender differences in perception of psychosocial distress and coping mechanisms among infertile men and women in Saudi Arabia.
abstract: The objective of the study was to evaluate the differences in psychosocial distress and coping mechanisms among infertile men and women in Saudi Arabia (SA). We performed a cross-sectional study of infertile patients (206 women and 200 men) attending infertility clinics in three referral hospitals in Riyadh, SA. A semi-structured questionnaire was developed to assess socio-demographic, clinical and psychosocial variables. Infertility-related psychosocial pressures were reported in 79 (39.7%) male and 97 (47.3%) female participants (p = 0.123). Males suffered more from intrusive questions and pressure to conceive, remarry or get divorced, while females were stressed more from psychological and emotional exhaustion, marital discord, attitudes of mothers-in-law or society, and persistent desire by the husband to have children. To cope with infertility, females engaged more in religious activities (p < 0.001) and spoke more to someone regarding their problems (p < 0.001). To solve their infertility problems, 50% tried to find solutions via the internet, and 38.5% of males and 51% of females reported using alternative medicines (p = 0.012). The patients with infertility in SA face multiple psychosocial stressors related to their infertility, and cope differently based on the gender and culture-specific knowledge of infertility. The female participants were significantly more affected from psychosocial stressors and the persistent desire by their spouse to have children.
authors: a Department of Psychiatry , King Saud University , Riyadh , Saudi Arabia.
authors: Fahad D
authors: FD
authors: Alosaimi
authors: b Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology , King Saud University , Riyadh , Saudi Arabia.
authors: Mujahid
authors: M
authors: Bukhari
authors: a Department of Psychiatry , King Saud University , Riyadh , Saudi Arabia.
authors: Maram
authors: M
authors: Altuwirqi
authors: c Urology Department , Elaj Medical Group , Jeddah , Saudi Arabia.
authors: Mohamad
authors: M
authors: Habous
authors: d Department of Urology , Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz Hospital , Riyadh , Saudi Arabia.
authors: Khaled
authors: K
authors: Madbouly
authors: b Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology , King Saud University , Riyadh , Saudi Arabia.
authors: Zeinab
authors: Z
authors: Abotalib
authors: e Division of Urology, Department of Surgery , King Saud University , Riyadh , Saudi Arabia.
authors: Saleh
authors: S
authors: Binsaleh
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D012737:Sex Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological
keywords: Psychosocial; Saudi Arabia; distress; infertility