The Support of Couples Struggling With Infertility in the Anna-Joachim Program

Abstract

Objective: Infertility affects more and more individuals and couples worldwide, with significant impact both on personal and social levels. The program described in this study presents a form of psychological care of infertility, which focuses on couples struggling with infertility and uses a couples group setting. The aim of the program is to strengthen the marriage, reduce (infertility-specific) distress, develop resources of the relationship and prevent the isolation of the couples affected. The study presents the first steps of program evaluation, where we analyzed the motivation of the couples who participated in the program. Method: We analyzed motivational letters written by the couples as a condition for applying to the program. We conducted qualitative thematic analysis of the text, coded individual signs referring to motivation, then created the main and sub-themes, which describes the types of motivation and their system. Results: Couples’ motivations were grouped around three main topics, these are (a) maintaining lasting relationships, recognizing their importance; (b) finding new perspectives, the need of new attitudes, a change of mindset; (c) inner journeys, spiritual paths in living with infertility. Within the three main themes, we identified eight further sub-themes. Conclusions: The results of the study highlight the need to consider the social support during the psychological care of infertility. Reducing the level of distress and working with the emotional and spiritual content of infertility should also be an important element. Our results can serve as guidelines for planning psychosocial interventions for infertility.