Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the directional relationship between fertility related quality of life, relationship satisfaction, resilience, depression, and shame amongst individuals and couples with infertility. This study tested the hypothesized directional relationship that individuals and couples with infertility (N = 556) with a greater level of fertility related quality of life (FertiQol) would have (a) increased relationship satisfaction (CSI), (b) increased resilience (CD-RISC), (c) decreased depression (PROMIS), and (d) decreased shame (FSCRS), through structural equation modeling (SEM) and the actor partner interdependence model (APIM). Also, the researcher tested the dyadic influence of fertility related quality of life in couples (n = 52) on the constructs. The researcher then investigated the relationship between the constructs and the demographic, relational, and infertility related variables. Lastly, the researcher assessed group differences between Caucasian and Racially Diverse participants to determine the influence of race on fertility related quality of life, relationship satisfaction, resilience, depression, and shame. SEM analyses identified that the level of fertility related quality of life influenced resilience (18.23% variance explained), depression (63.04% variance explained), and shame (22.27% variance explained). Further, the Relational aspect of fertility related quality of life influenced relationship satisfaction (59.75% variance explained), and gender significantly influenced resilience with a medium effect (beta = .309). Results of the APIM analysis identified two partner effects from the Relational aspect of fertility related quality of life to relationship satisfaction and shame. Lastly, the results identified significant differences in relationship satisfaction, shame, and value of spirituality between Caucasian and Racially Diverse participants. Study implications include: (a) greater knowledge for individual counseling, couples counseling, and integrated care counselors, (b) greater understanding of interventions to promote positive relationship satisfaction in couples, and (c) greater understanding of how to enhance counselor training when working with couples with infertility.

Notes

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Graduation Date

2021

Semester

Spring

Advisor

Barden, Sejal

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

College

College of Community Innovation and Education

Department

School of Teacher Education

Degree Program

Education; Counselor Education

Format

application/pdf

Identifier

CFE0008554; DP0024230

URL

https://purls.library.ucf.edu/go/DP0024230

Language

English

Release Date

May 2021

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Doctoral Dissertation (Open Access)

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