Date of Conferral
5-22-2025
Date of Award
May 2025
Degree
Doctor of Social Work (DSW)
School
Social Work
Advisor
Alisha Powell
Abstract
Infertility is a major health issue that impacts an individual’s physical, social and mental well-being. Women who are childless due to infertility experience a reduced fertility quality of life. Quality of life is directly related to an individual’s overall well-being and happiness. Using family systems theory, this quantitative research study aimed to answer how age, race, and religious commitment influence the fertility quality of life in women aged 25 to 50 who are involuntarily childless due to infertility. Data were collected from 132 participants using a demographic survey, The Religious Commitment Inventory (RCI-10), and the Fertility Quality of Life Survey (FertiQoL). Nonprobability sampling and multiple regression analysis were used. The findings revealed that age had a slight but statistically significant negative effect on fertility quality of life, with an R2 value of 0.068. Religious commitment was found to be a significant positive predictor, with an R2 value of 0.207. Race was found to not be a significant predictor of fertility quality of life after accounting for age and religious commitment. Results of this study can be used to inform therapeutic techniques, promote organizational changes—including those within religions, and promote advocacy for policies that are geared towards mental health within the scope of infertility. Additionally, the results can be used to contribute to positive social change by increasing public awareness and understanding of an underserved community and give a voice to a marginalized population by bringing attention to their unique circumstances and needs.
Recommended Citation
Ward, Dana L., "Age, Race, Religious Commitment, and Fertility Quality of Life" (2025). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 17864.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/17864
