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Living with involuntary childlessness and a diagnosis of infertility: a South African grounded-theory study
Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2025.
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| Format: | Thesis |
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Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
2026
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| _version_ | 1867613846979477504 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Vorster, Zana |
| author2 | Kruger, Lou-Marie |
| author_browse | Kruger, Lou-Marie Vorster, Zana |
| author_facet | Kruger, Lou-Marie Vorster, Zana |
| author_sort | Vorster, Zana |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | Stellenbosch University |
| description | Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2025. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/134868 |
| institution | Stellenbosch University (South Africa) |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:42:38.497Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publishDateRange | 2026 |
| publishDateSort | 2026 |
| publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| publisherStr | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| spelling | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/134868 Living with involuntary childlessness and a diagnosis of infertility: a South African grounded-theory study Vorster, Zana Kruger, Lou-Marie Coetzee, Azille Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Department of Psychology. Infertility, Female -- Diagnosis -- South Africa Childlessness -- Psychological aspects Reproductive health -- South Africa Motherhood -- Psychological aspects Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2025. Vorster, Z. 2025. Living With Involuntary Childlessness and a Diagnosis of Infertility: A South African Grounded-Theory Study. Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/42f72abf-5551-4bfe-b08a-199182206981 ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Introduction: Involuntary childlessness, often resulting from infertility, has the potential to be emotionally distressing for women who desire to be mothers. This study explores the lived experiences of South African women who are experiencing involuntary childlessness. Involuntary childlessness, a term that encompasses both medical infertility and the broader emotional, psychological, and social challenges associated with the inability to conceive, is often shaped by cultural and societal expectations of motherhood. In this thesis, I argue that in South Africa, motherhood is often considered a central aspect of a woman's identity. Because of this, women who experience involuntary childlessness often face significant societal pressure and stigmatisation. Objective: This study is aimed at exploring the emotional experiences of women facing infertility and subsequent involuntary childlessness and understanding how dominant societal narratives around motherhood influence these emotions. Methods: This qualitative study employs grounded theory methodology and is framed within a feminist social constructionist perspective. Participants were recruited from fertility clinics and an online support group for women in Cape Town, South Africa. I collected data by conducting semi-structured interviews with ten women between the ages of 19 and 50 who were experiencing infertility and involuntary childlessness. The sample was homogenous with participants being mostly white, Afrikaansspeaking women of middle-to-high-income backgrounds. Data analysis was conducted using grounded theory methods to identify patterns and categories. Findings and Discussion: Participants expressed enduring feelings of grief, anxiety, shame, guilt, and hope, which were often followed by deep disappointment. These emotions were often exacerbated by societal expectations, shaped by dominant discourses that often equate womanhood with motherhood. Many women felt marginalised and misunderstood, leading to social withdrawal and strained relationships. The extreme emotional consequences women experienced often led to the use of defenses, i.e., intellectualisation, repression. Women often internalised the societal expectations placed upon them, leading to a diminished sense of self and a strained relationship with their bodies. Women also expressed the financial strain and career-related consequences of fertility treatment. The findings underscore the need for integrating comprehensive mental health support into fertility treatment protocols. Longitudinal studies are recommended to track the long-term psychological effects of involuntary childlessness, focusing on the persistence of negative emotions and their impact on quality of life and relationships. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar. Masters 2026-01-13T10:05:17Z 2026-01-13T10:05:17Z 2025-12 Thesis https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/134868 Stellenbosch University 213 pages application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| spellingShingle | Infertility, Female -- Diagnosis -- South Africa Childlessness -- Psychological aspects Reproductive health -- South Africa Motherhood -- Psychological aspects Vorster, Zana Living with involuntary childlessness and a diagnosis of infertility: a South African grounded-theory study |
| title | Living with involuntary childlessness and a diagnosis of infertility: a South African grounded-theory study |
| title_full | Living with involuntary childlessness and a diagnosis of infertility: a South African grounded-theory study |
| title_fullStr | Living with involuntary childlessness and a diagnosis of infertility: a South African grounded-theory study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Living with involuntary childlessness and a diagnosis of infertility: a South African grounded-theory study |
| title_short | Living with involuntary childlessness and a diagnosis of infertility: a South African grounded-theory study |
| title_sort | living with involuntary childlessness and a diagnosis of infertility a south african grounded theory study |
| topic | Infertility, Female -- Diagnosis -- South Africa Childlessness -- Psychological aspects Reproductive health -- South Africa Motherhood -- Psychological aspects |
| url | https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/134868 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT vorsterzana livingwithinvoluntarychildlessnessandadiagnosisofinfertilityasouthafricangroundedtheorystudy |