Infertility

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xx

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2. An Introduction to the Infertility Process

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1

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   2. Psychological Adjustment to Infertility

      • Annette L. Stanton, Christine Dunkel-Schetter

      Pages 3-16

   3. Diagnosis and Medical Treatment of Infertility

      • Val Davajan, Robert Israel

      Pages 17-28

   4. Psychological Reactions to Infertility

      • Christine Dunkel-Schetter, Marci Lobel

      Pages 29-57

3. Application of Conceptual Models and Constructs in Psychology to the Study of the Infertility Process

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 59-59

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   2. The Importance of Social Relationships for Infertile Couples’ Well-Being

      • Antonia Abbey, Frank M. Andrews, L. Jill Halman

      Pages 61-86

   3. Cognitive Appraisals, Coping Processes, and Adjustment to Infertility

      • Annette L. Stanton

      Pages 87-108

   4. Causal Explanations for Infertility

      • Howard Tennen, Glenn Affleck, Richard Mendola

      Pages 109-131

   5. Perceived Control and Adjustment to Infertility among Women Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization

      • Susan Miller Campbell, Christine Dunkel-Schetter, Letitia Anne Peplau

      Pages 133-156

   6. Cognitive Examination of Motivation for Childbearing as a Factor in Adjustment to Infertility

      • Leslie F. Clark, Susan M. Henry, Donna M. Taylor

      Pages 157-180

4. Current Status and Future Directions

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 181-181

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   2. Psychological Intervention and Infertility

      • Anthony E. Reading

      Pages 183-196

   3. Psychological Adjustment to Infertility

      • Christine Dunkel-Schetter, Annette L. Stanton

      Pages 197-222

5. Back Matter

   Pages 223-240

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As a researcher whose work focuses largely on the causes and conse­ quences of unwanted pregnancy, I may appear to be an unlikely candidate to write a foreword to a book on infertility. Yet, many of the themes that emerge in the study of unwanted pregnancy are also apparent in the study of infertility. Moreover, this volume is an important contribution to the literature on fertility, women's health issues, and health psychology in general, all topics with which I have been closely involved over the past two decades. Neither pregnancy nor its absence is inherently desirable: The occurrence of a pregnancy can be met with joy or despair, and its absence can be a cause of relief or anguish. Whether or not these states are wanted, the conscious and unconscious meanings attached to pregnancy and in­ fertility, the responses of others, the perceived implications of these states, and one's expectations for the future all are critical factors in determining an individual's response. In addition, both unwanted pregnancy and failure to conceive can be socially stigmatized, evoking both overt and subtle social disapproval. Fur­ ther, they involve not only the woman, but her partner, and potentially the extended family. Finally, both of these reproductive issues have been poorly researched. Because both are emotionally charged and socially stigmatized events, they are difficult to study. Much of the early literature relied on anecdotal or case reports.

• Motivation
• diagnosis
• intervention
• psychological intervention
• psychology
• sexual behaviour

• University of Kansas, Lawrence, USA

  Annette L. Stanton

• University of California, Los Angeles, USA

  Christine Dunkel-Schetter

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