Supporting couples undergoing infertility treatment to improve their partnership

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K19693
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 58070:Lifelong developmental nursing-related
• Research Institution: Yokohama Soei University (2022); Kanto Gakuin University (2019-2021)
• Principal Investigator: HIROMI YAMAMOTO 横浜創英大学, 看護学部, 教授 (50441572)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 不妊治療中カップル / パートナーシップ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, the psychosocial status, support status and challenges of couples undergoing infertility treatment were collected to identify the necessary support. As this study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, literature review as well as focus group interviews on professionals and therapists were conducted. The results revealed that couples undergoing infertility treatment realized appreciation and compassion for their partners through the experience of treatment, and reconstructed their marital relationship as they continued to build on such experiences. It was suggested that therapists need to collaborate with multidisciplinary team, conduct appropriate assessments, provide support accordingly, focus on improving the couples’ level of satisfaction towards treatment, and target the support on encouraging the reconstruction of their marital relationship.

Free Research Field

母性看護学・助産学領域

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

新型コロナ感染症により、アンケート調査が大々的に実施することが難しかった。しかし、その中でも支援モデルを提示したことは、今後の支援の課題の克服の一助となる。また、我が国では、不妊専門相談サンターや不妊治療を行っている医療機関が主に支援を行っている状況である。地域や施設、支援者が一貫した支援をするために支援モデルから必要な支援が明確になること。支援者が様々な職種や経験により偏りが生じた際も支援モデルから一貫した必要な支援への導きとなること。さらに、学術雑誌で発表したことで、様々な支援者に支援モデルが幅広く提供できたことも社会的意義は大きいと考える。