Determining the relationship between social support perceived by infertile women and their levels of stigma

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the relationship between social support perceived by infertile women and their levels of stigma. Method: Study was conducted at Akdeniz University Hospital in Vitro Fertilization Center between March and September 2023. The research population consisted of 322 infertile women. Personal Information Form, Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale and Infertility Stigma Scale were used as data collection tools. The scales were applied by face-to-face interview method. The data obtained as a result of the research were analyzed by Kolmogorov-Smirnow test, Independent Group t test, Analysis of Variance, Pearson correlation analysis and stepwise regression test was used. Results: In the study, the women's multidimensional perceived social support scale mean score was 67.90±15.36, and the infertility stigma scale mean score was 50.62±19.91. A low-level, negatively significant correlation was found between the multidimensional perceived social support scale and the infertility stigma scale. Conclusion: In this study, it was determined that women diagnosed with infertility had high perceived social support and experienced infertility-related stigma at a moderate level. It was found that women experience the most social stigma. For this reason, the public should be informed through training about the stigma of infertility and it may be recommended to raise awareness.