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Abstract
This cross-sectional study examined the association between identity concerns and perceived stress in 522 diverse men (n = 236) and women (n = 286), seeking to become parents through fertility treatment in Canada. Participants completed an online survey assessing demographic and fertility characteristics, identity concerns, and perceived stress. Path analysis showed that gender identity concern (GIC) was a unique determinant of perceived stress (Standardised Beta, βmen = 0.381, 95% CI = [0.186–0.565], βwomen = 0.544, CI = [0.376–0.716]), with different determinants of GIC and stress for men (i.e. religion (β = 0.579, 95% CI [0.059, 1.097])) and women (i.e. income (β = −0.370, 95% CI = [−0.584, −0.162]), parenthood status (β = −0.603, 95% CI = [−1.074, −0.118]), female factor infertility (β = 0.711, 95% CI = [0.237–1.117])). The findings highlight the importance of gender for understanding fertility patient experiences, and how concerns surrounding gender identity may differentially influence men’s and women’s perceived stress when trying to create a family through assisted reproductive technology.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank members of the CIHR Infertility Research Team for assistance with recruitment and data collection, especially Stephanie Robins for constructing study materials. We also wish to thank Dr. Carl Falk for his useful suggestions regarding data analysis, interpretation, and reporting. Lastly, we appreciate the assistance of Timothy J. Thurman for sharing his expertise with the statistical programme R.
Disclosure statement
The authors have no interests to declare.