Structural Equation Modeling to Explain the Relationship Between Perceived Social Support, Marital Boredom, and Family Resilience in Infertile Women

Infertility is among the most challenging experiences individuals might encounter. Infertility is associated with marital conflicts and serious psychosocial consequences. This can be problematic because the marital relationship is the primary source of infertility support. The social consequences of infertility are more effective in women. Family resilience can prevent or reduce marital boredom. Marital boredom can interfere with the treatment and collapse the family system in more severe cases. However, some characteristics, such as receiving social support and increasing family resilience, can prevent marital boredom. Social support plays an essential role in preventing marital boredom. Considering the high prevalence of infertility, this study aimed to model structural equations to explain the relationship between perceived social support, marital boredom, and family resilience in infertile women.

The present descriptive–correlation study employed structural equations modeling. The statistical population included infertile women aged 20–45 years referring to the infertility section of Khatam Al–Anbia Hospital in Tehran City, Iran, in 2018–2019. By the convenience sampling method, 361 subjects were selected. The inclusion criteria included having at least a ninth–grade education, the age range of 20–45 years, and having at least two years of infertility history. The measuring instruments were the Marital Burnout Scale (Pines, 1996), Family Resiliency Assessment Scale (Sixbey, 2005), and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (Zimmet et al., 1988). The obtained data were analyzed in SPSS and LISREL using descriptive statistics (mean & standard deviation) and inferential statistics, including structural equation modeling and Pearson correlation coefficient at the significance level of 0.01.

The total path coefficient (total direct and indirect path coefficient) of social support to family resilience and family resilience to marital boredom was negative and significant (p<0.001, β=–0.82). Furthermore, the direct path coefficient between social support and marital boredom was negative and significant (p<0.003, β=–0.36), the direct path coefficient between family resilience and marital boredom was negative and significant (p<0.001, β=–0.57). Moreover, the direct path coefficient between social support and family resilience was positive and significant (p<0.001, β=0.81). Finally, the indirect path coefficient between social support and marital boredom was negative and significant (p<0.001, β=–0.46). There was a good fit of the research model (RMSEA=0.061, AGFI=0.088). In other indicators (e.g., NFI, NNFI, CFI, & GFI), the results were higher than 0.80, indicating an acceptable model fit. Meanwhile, the SRMR index is 0.039, i.e., below 0.05.

Based on the research findings, perceived social support through family resilience reduces marital boredom in infertile women. Infertile women generate more marital boredom with perceived social support and less family resilience.