Associations between infertility and mental health stress and coping among women in a Middle Eastern context

Infertility-related stress is a significant issue for women, and understanding the factors associated with stress and the coping strategies they employ is critical. This study aimed to assess infertility-related stress, coping strategies, and the associated demographic and lifestyle factors among infertile women in Amman and North of Jordan. This study employed a cross-sectional design to examine stress and coping strategies among 506 infertile women in Northern Jordan and Amman. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire that included sociodemographic information, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Brief COPE Inventory. Statistical analyses, including t-tests, ANOVA, and correlation analysis, were used to assess the relationships between stress, coping strategies, and demographic factors. The study found that the majority of participants were married women aged 25–30, with 57.3% reporting moderate perceived stress and 35.6% experiencing high stress. Younger participants (under 25) reported higher stress levels and coping strategy scores, while those with less than a high school education also showed elevated stress. Lower family income was linked to higher stress, whereas higher income was associated with better coping strategies. Sedentary individuals experienced more stress, whereas physically active participants demonstrated improved coping. Strong partner and family support significantly reduced stress, and women who received counseling reported notably lower stress and higher coping scores. Correlation analysis revealed a positive relationship between perceived stress and emotion-focused coping and a negative correlation with problem-focused coping, indicating that women with higher stress levels tended to rely more on emotion-focused strategies like venting, while those with lower stress levels preferred problem-focused approaches such as active coping and planning. This study revealed significant associations between stress and coping strategies with various demographic and lifestyle factors among infertile women in Northern Jordan. Interventions that enhance problem-focused coping and provide mental health support, particularly counseling, could be beneficial in managing infertility-related stress.