The relationship between self-compassion infertility self-efficacy and coping with stress in women with infertility

This study aimed to examine the relationship between self-compassion, infertility-related self-efficacy, and coping skills with stress among women diagnosed with infertility. The psychological aspects of the experiences of infertile women were addressed, focusing on how individuals cope with the challenges they face and their levels of psychological resilience during this process. Conducted within a quantitative research design, the study utilized the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), the Infertility Self-Efficacy Scale (ISES), and the Coping with Infertility Stress Scale (CISS) as data collection tools. According to the analysis results, a positive and significant relationship was found between self-compassion and coping with stress; individuals with higher levels of self-compassion were found to cope more effectively with infertility-related stress. However, no significant relationship was observed between self-compassion and self-efficacy. Family support had a significant and negative effect on infertility self-efficacy, while the effect of spousal support was not significant. Furthermore, women with previous unsuccessful treatment experiences were found to have higher levels of coping with stress. The findings revealed that self-compassion functions as a protective psychological resource during the infertility process, whereas the perception of self-efficacy is strongly influenced by external factors such as family support. In conclusion, it is recommended to develop psychosocial interventions aimed at strengthening self-compassion and enhancing family support to improve the psychological well-being of infertile women. This study is expected to contribute to a better understanding of the psychological processes related to infertility and to enrich the limited literature in this field. Keywords: Family support; Infertility; Self-compassion; Self-efficacy; Coping with stress.