Self-esteem and psychological adjustment of women with infertility: a comparative analysis

The present study aimed to evaluate self-esteem and psychological adjustment of women with infertility compared to those attending family planning clinic. The study also explored and compared sociodemographic correlates of self-esteem and psychological adjustment between the two groups. This descriptive cross-sectional study was done using consecutive sampling technique to select 400 women in each group of those attending fertility and family planning clinics. Data were collected using semi-structured socio-demographic questionnaire, index of self-esteem (ISE) questionnaire and fertility adjustment scale (FAS) were administered after matching the groups by their age, marital status and years of education. The study found women attending family planning clinic had higher degree of self-esteem compared to those with infertility and this was statistically significant (ᵡ² = 7.12, df=1   p=0.008). Lower self-esteem was found more among women with secondary and tertiary levels of education (X²=32.11, df = 1, p == <0.001), those within age group 45 – 49 years and higher among women in monogamous setting (X²=14.436, df = 5, P=0.011). Women with infertility had higher level of maladjustment with statistical significance, (X²=53.65, df =I, P=<0.001). Lower psychological adjustment was found in women within the age group 30 -39 years (X²=33.087, df =5, P=<0.001), and good adjustment among women in monogamous setting(X²=5.203, df=1 P=0.023), and those with tertiary education (X²=16.661, df=4, P=0.002). The study found poor level of psychological functioning in both studied groups, with a greater degree of poor psychological adjustment and lower self-esteem among infertile women. Infertile women also had higher psychiatric morbidity.