Purpose
This study involved a meta-synthesis of qualitative research concerning the experiences of women with infertility and infertility treatments. Based on an analysis of emotional changes and adaptation processes, it aimed to propose an interaction model encompassing expectation, loss, and resilience and clarify the conceptual meaning of each component.
Methods
Thomas and Harden’s five-step qualitative meta-synthesis methodology was employed. A total of 22 studies published between 2014 and 2024 were comprehensively analyzed and synthesized. The findings were integrated into a model representing the experiences of women undergoing infertility and infertility treatments.
Results
The meta-synthesis identified six key themes: changes in identity and inner growth; strengthening resilience through the roles of spouses, family, and peers; strategies for recovery and growth; support systems amidst economic and social burdens; life in the tension of waiting and hope; and the reconfiguration of couple and family relationships. Based on these themes, a dynamic interaction model, named the Model of Psychological Changes and Resilience (PCR Model), was developed to illustrate the interrelationships among expectation, loss, and resilience. The conceptual implications of these relationships were also explicated.
Conclusion
The cyclical interplay between expectation and loss among women experiencing infertility is intensified by social ideologies and cultural contexts, while resilience is strengthened through overcoming distress and finding meaning in life. Further quantitative research is necessary to validate these relationships in clinical settings by obtaining empirical data that apply this model.