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Journal of Social and Personal Relationships
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Relational uncertainty, partner interference, and infertility: A qualitative study of discourse within online forums

Keli Ryan Steuber

Pennsylvania State University, krs277{at}psu.edu

Denise Haunani Solomon

Pennsylvania State University

Infertility afflicts one in six couples and confronts partners with life decisions that have long-term implications for their partnerships. The authors analyzed discourse from online discussion board strings and blogs (N = 438) to consider how this reproductive disability is both affected by and transforms the marital relationship. Specifically, a relational turbulence model lens was used to gain insight into the salient relational issues of couples coping with infertility. A qualitative theme analysis revealed two relational uncertainty themes (relational invalidation and implications of blame), two partner interference themes (supremacy of the pregnancy goal and violated expectations for treatment involvement), and two identity themes (strengthened relational identity and personal identity shifts).

Key Words: couple relationships • identity • infertility • partner interference • relational uncertainty • theme analysis

Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, Vol. 25, No. 5, 831-855 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/0265407508096698
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