Table 2.
Summary of categories and subcategories
| Categories | Subcategories |
|---|---|
| Couple’s interactions | The husband’s reactions and performance to infertility Hiding reproductive issues from one’s husband The effect of infertility on the verbal and emotional relationships of couples Sexual dissatisfaction due to infertility problems and treatment |
| Family and society’s judgment and performance |
Family’s reaction and manner of dealing with infertility The society’s judgment and performance |
| Control of the treatment process over the life cycle |
The tensions and stresses of continuing the treatment process The economic tensions of treatment |
| Personal beliefs and motivations for bearing a child |
The individual’s beliefs and attitude towards infertility The individual’s motivation for childbearing The infertile woman’s attitude toward an adopted child |
| The psychological and social consequences of infertility |
The psychological consequences of infertility The social consequences of infertility |
| The existence of social supporters against its absence |
Social supporters The absence of supportive sources |
| The characteristics of an infertile woman |
Individual biography and infertility characteristics Economic-social factors |
| Attempts to stabilize life and get rid of being judged by others (Core category) |
Conducting treatment measures Conducting traditional treatments Spiritual and religious strategies Avoidance strategies Emotional- affective compatibility strategies Problem-solving strategies Hiding infertility from others |
| Hope for treatment interventions against its damages |
Hope for treatment interventions The psychological consequences of the treatment process |
| The couple’s closer relationship against the threat to life instability |
The couple’s closer relationship The likelihood of the disintegration of marital life |
| Relieving or adapting to psychological stress against its increase |
Relieving or adapting to psychological stress Increased psychological stress |
| Spiritual growth against its challenges | Spiritual growth Challenging the individual’s spiritual beliefs |