Examining The Psychological Experiences of Infertile Couples with Adopted ChildrenMarieh Dehghan(Ph.D.)1, Mohammad Hossein Fallah(Ph.D.)2, Najmeh Sedrpoushan(Ph.D.)3,

Marieh  Dehghan; Mohammad Hossein  Fallah; Najmeh  Sedrpoushan; Fatemeh  Mohammadi

doi:10.18502/tbj.v23i4.17049

Marieh Dehghan Assistant Professor of Department of Psychology and Counseling, Faculty of Humanities, Yazd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Yazd, Iran.
Mohammad Hossein Fallah Associate Professor of Department of Psychology and Counseling, Faculty of Humanities, Yazd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Yazd, Iran.
Najmeh Sedrpoushan Assistant Professor of Department of Psychology and Counseling, Faculty of Humanities, Yazd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Yazd, Iran
Fatemeh Mohammadi PhD Student of Counseling Department of Psychology and Counseling, Yazd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Yazd, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/tbj.v23i4.17049

Keywords: Infertility of Couples, Adoption, Psychological Changes, Psychological Experiences

Abstract

Introduction: Having children has always been the best way to complete the family and evolve the couple's identity. Couples who were unable to have children due to infertility have used alternative paths. The aim of the present study was to investigate the psychological experiences of infertile couples with adopted children in Yazd.

Methods: This study was of a qualitative type, with an exploratory nature. 18 infertile couples suffering from hormonal disorders, anatomical problems, infections and old age in women and sperm disorders and infections in men, who did not have children and had adopted children through the welfare of Yazd city, were identified in 1401 by targeted sampling method. And with a semi-structured interview, their information was collected, recorded and recorded and reached complete saturation.

Rusults: The analysis of the lived experiences of the participants showed that out of a total of 154 semantic units, 10 main themes were obtained: accepting the role of parenting; infertility difficulties; encouraging the idea of adoption; difficulties and failures following adoption; Successes and facilitators following adoption; educational challenges and characteristics of adopted children; experiencing a crisis when a child enters the house; interactions with others; and matching tools; psychological changes in family life and relationships.

Conclusion: Psychological changes in life and family relationships are one of the most important experiences of infertile couples. Lack of awareness and treatment can cause problems for the mental health of couples. It is suggested that therapists and counselors interpret the life experiences and psychological changes of people more deeply and use the themes obtained in this research in therapeutic interventions.