Comparison of Self-esteem in Fertile and Infertile Women

Childbearing is one of the purposes of marriage and having no child could have a negative impact on various aspects of women's lives. The aim of this study was to compare the self-esteem of fertile and infertile women. It was a descriptive cross-sectional study that was carried out among 200 fertile and infertile women (100 fertile and 100 infertile) referred to the Research Centre for Reproductive and gynecological clinic of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in 2013. Sampling in the fertile and infertile women was done by purposive and cluster random method respectively. Self-esteem was assessed by Cooper Semite’s inventory. Data analysis was performed by descriptive and inferential statistics (Independent t -test, Chi-square, ANOVA and Pearson correlation test) using SPSS-PC (v/21). Mean score of self-esteem in fertile and infertile group was 81/09 ± 24/6 and 69/83 ± 21 respectively (p = 0/001). There was a significant relationship between self-esteem and age, duration of infertility, education, income, and housing in infertile group (p=0/001). The findings revealed that i nfertile women had lower self-esteem than fertile women. It seems that healthcare providers, in addition to handling the physical dimensions of health, should pay attention to the psychological aspects of this group of women.