Support or stressor? The community as a predictor of perceptions of infertility

Perceptions of women experiencing infertility may influence their coping and psychological adjustment. This study examined the influence of community pressure and support on the perception of fertility problems among 156 women in religious Jewish societies in Israel, undergoing fertility treatment. Regression analyses indicated that perceptions of pressure from the community were associated with more problematic consequences and problem severity and timeline, while perceptions of community support were simultaneously associated with lower levels of loss of control and higher levels of problematic consequences. Thus, social work interventions should consider ways to increase support, while reducing the stress resulting from it.