Thesis
Religiosity, depression, and infertility-related stress in Muslim women struggling with infertility and living in the West
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Jan 2017
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-7401
Abstract
Infertility is a deeply distressing experience that affects millions of women each year, with many also suffering from depression. Depression may increase the risk of experiencing infertility, and decrease the success rate of infertility treatment. Studies suggest that religiosity/spirituality (R/S) may be protective against depression; however, in the Western world these connections remain largely unexplored outside of Christian populations. This study sought to extend our understanding of the relationship between R/S, depression, and infertility-related stress among Muslim women struggling with infertility and living in a Western context. An ethnically diverse sample of 496 Muslim women residing in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States with self-reported fertility problems was recruited using online platforms. Participants completed an online cross-sectional self-report survey consisting of a sociodemographics questionnaire, the Center of Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale - Revised (CESD-R), the Fertility Problem Inventory (FPI), the Brief RCOPE, and the Religious Commitment Inventory - 10 (RCI-10). As hypothesized, there was a significant and positive relationship between depression and infertility-related distress. While negative religious coping (NRC) was significantly related to depression and infertility-related stress, positive religious coping (PRC) and religious commitment were not. Findings may guide the development of interventions that improve mental health and increase chances of successful pregnancy among Muslim women with fertility problems. Implications for clinical applications and future research are discussed.
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Details
- Title
- Religiosity, depression, and infertility-related stress in Muslim women struggling with infertility and living in the West
- Creators
- Mona Elgohail - DU
- Contributors
- Pamela A. Geller (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- viii, 77 pages
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 7401; 991014632535004721