The Effect of Spiritual Health on Psychological Distress of Infertile Women: The Role of Perceived Social Support as a Mediator

Faride Ensafdaran; Mahmoud Nejabat; Soudabeh Sabetian; Bahia Namavar Jahromi; Fatemeh Hemmati

doi:10.18502/jri.v25i4.18127

The Effect of Spiritual Health on Psychological Distress of Infertile Women: The Role of Perceived Social Support as a Mediator

J Reprod Infertil. 2024 Oct-Dec;25(4):290-297. doi: 10.18502/jri.v25i4.18127.

Authors

Faride Ensafdaran¹, Mahmoud Nejabat¹, Soudabeh Sabetian², Bahia Namavar Jahromi^{2

3}, Fatemeh Hemmati⁴

Affiliations

¹ Research Center of Quran, Hadith and Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
² Infertility Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
³ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
⁴ Fatemieh Institute of Higher Education, Shiraz, Iran.

Abstract

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate the model of spiritual health in relation to psychological distress among infertile women, with perceived social support as a mediator.

Method: In this study, structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed. The study population included all infertile women in Shiraz from which a sample of 250 individuals was selected using a targeted sampling method. The research data were collected by Spiritual Health questionnaire developed by Iranian Academy of Medical Sciences; Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21); and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Data analysis was performed using SPSS and AMOS software.

Results: The results demonstrate that the direct impact of spiritual health on psychological distress and perceived social support was statistically significant. Furthermore, a significant indirect effect of spiritual health on psychological distress was identified through perceived social support.

Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, it may be beneficial to address aspects of spiritual health and social support to alleviate psychological distress among infertile women.

Keywords: Infertility; Perceived social support; Psychological distress; Spiritual health.