Infertility and perceived stress: the role of identity concern in treatment-seeking men and women

Abstract

This cross-sectional study examined the association between identity concerns and perceived stress in 522 diverse men (<i>n</i> = 236) and women (<i>n</i> = 286), seeking to become parents through fertility treatment in Canada. Participants completed an online survey assessing demographic and fertility characteristics, identity concerns, and perceived stress. Path analysis showed that gender identity concern (GIC) was a unique determinant of perceived stress (Standardised Beta, <i>β</i>_men = 0.381, 95% CI = [0.186-0.565], <i>β</i>_women = 0.544, CI = [0.376-0.716]), with different determinants of GIC and stress for men (i.e. religion (<i>β</i> = 0.579, 95% CI [0.059, 1.097])) and women (i.e. income (<i>β</i> = -0.370, 95% CI = [-0.584, -0.162]), parenthood status (<i>β</i> = -0.603, 95% CI = [-1.074, -0.118]), female factor infertility (<i>β</i> = 0.711, 95% CI = [0.237-1.117])). The findings highlight the importance of gender for understanding fertility patient experiences, and how concerns surrounding gender identity may differentially influence men's and women's perceived stress when trying to create a family through assisted reproductive technology.