Abstract:
The present study aimed to explore the relationship between infertility-related stress, spousal support, and sexual distress among infertile women living in Baluchistan. A sample of 200 infertile women was selected to assess these variables using standardized measures, including the Infertility-Related Stress Scale (Casu & Gremigni, 2016), the Spousal Support Scale (Schuster, Kessler, & Aseltine, 1990), and the Sexual Distress Scale (Saleha Naseer; Dr. Urooj Sadiq, 2023). Descriptive statistics were employed to examine the sociodemographic characteristics of the participants, as wellas the means, standard deviations, skewness, and kurtosis of the variables, along with the range of scores. Internal consistency of the scales was evaluated using Cronbach'salpha. Inferential statistics involved Pearson's correlation to assess the relationships between infertility-related stress, spousal support, and sexual distress, while regression and moderation analyses were conducted to explore the predictive and moderating effects of spousal support on sexual distress. The findings highlight significant associations between the key variables and provide insights into the psychological impacts of infertility, underscoring the importance of spousal support inmitigating sexual distress among infertile women in this region. Implications for interventions and future research directions are discussed. The findings have several practical and theoretical implications. Clinically, interventions aimed at enhancing emotional support from spouses may improve the mental and sexual health outcomes of women experiencing infertility. Therapists and counselors should focus on fostering open communication and emotional intimacy between couples to alleviate sexual and psychological distress. Educational programs targeting individuals with lower education levels or those living in rural areas may also mitigate stress related to infertility by enhancing their understanding of reproductive health and coping strategies. Furthermore, healthcare providers should be aware of the specific challenges associated with primary infertility and tailor their support services accordingly.
