Living as an infertile woman: A qualitative analysis of narratives by Kerala women

Aswathy J B; Sonia George

doi:10.29038/eejpl.2026.13.1.asw

Authors

Aswathy J B * Department of Psychology, Government College for Women in Kerala, India https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4862-638X
Sonia George Department of Psychology, Government College for Women in Kerala, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29038/eejpl.2026.13.1.asw

Keywords:

women, infertility, coping, communication, psychological distress

Abstract

Infertility is a significant global health concern, with a particularly high prevalence in India, where women are often held solely responsible for difficulties in conception, regardless of the underlying cause. This qualitative study explores the emotional, social, and cultural factors shaping the experiences of infertile women in Kerala by analyzing linguistic features within their personal narratives. The research addresses how women narrate and construct their experiences of infertility within a pronatalist society, and identifies recurring themes related to coping, social interactions, and personal meaning. Five married women, aged 30 to 50 and representing diverse socioeconomic backgrounds and regions of Kerala, participated in in-depth interviews. Thematic analysis identified eight primary themes: emotional responses to being identified as infertile, postponement of pregnancy, social environment interactions, discouraging comments from others, conflict and understanding between spouses and families, coping strategies, discussions with friends, and perceptions of the meaning of life. The findings highlight the profound impact of cultural and social environments on women’s experiences with infertility, emphasizing that societal messages and beliefs heavily influence perceptions of motherhood. The study’s linguistic analysis provides insight into the ways women articulate and make sense of their experiences, revealing both stigma and resilience. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the cultural and social implications of infertility and may inform the development of counseling and intervention strategies designed to enhance the well-being of women facing infertility. The study underscores the necessity of culturally sensitive support systems and offers recommendations for future research and practice in reproductive health.

CRediT Author Statement

Aswathi J B: Conceptualization, Methodology, Investigation, Resources, Data Curation, Writing – Original Draft, Visualization; Sonia George: Conceptualization, Methodology, Validation, Formal Analysis, Writing – Reviewing & Editing, Supervision, Project Administration.

Disclosure Statement

The authors reported no potential conflicts of interest.

Generative AI Statement

During the preparation of this work the author (Aswathy J B) used Grammarly in order to check spelling and grammar, adjust literature to APA7 norms. After using this service, the authors reviewed and edited the content as needed and take full responsibility for the content of the publication.

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Author Biography

Aswathy J B *, Department of Psychology, Government College for Women in Kerala, India

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

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