Sociocultural Perspectives on Infertility: Examining the Psychological Burdens, Attitudes, Coping Methods, and Societal Impact in India and Beyond

Abstract

Introduction: The psychosocial distress faced by infertile couples is a complex and multifaceted issue that encompasses emotional, social, and psychological challenges. Based on India's census data from 2011, 2001, 1991, and 1981, it has been observed that the number of couples without children has gone up by 50%. It is important to note that the psychological stress faced by couples dealing with infertility varies depending on their cultural background. This shows that cultural and societal factors have a significant impact on how people view infertility.

Objectives: The current study analyses the societal brunt associated with infertility, attitudes towards alternatives such as adoption and surrogacy in India and other countries, and the coping techniques used by infertile couples.

Methods: Adopting qualitative methods, research studies from Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, ResearchGate, academia, and other relevant journals and search engines were accessed and reviewed for this comprehensive review.

Results: From the literature survey, it was observed that infertility is still seen as a social embarrassment and a stain on one's reputation in many southern nations. Additionally, socio-cultural factors such as gender roles, religious beliefs, and economic constraints contribute to the psychological burden experienced by infertile couples in India. It was discovered that cultures have different perspectives on and attitudes towards infertility.

Conclusions: Cultural ideologies must be taken into consideration when addressing and managing the detrimental effects on childless couples' mental health brought on by social pressure, stigma, and a lack of knowledge about infertility and its treatment.