Effects of Healing Codes Training on Infertility Stigma and Self-Concept in Infertile Women

Background: Couples diagnosed with infertility encounter a range of stressful experiences including strain on marital and family relationships, changes in sexual dynamics, and other unavoidable challenges. This study aimed to examine the impact of healing codes training on infertility stigma and sel...

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Main Authors: Fahimeh Zarean, Ali Sheykholeslami, Esmaeil Sadri Damirchi, Ali Rezaei Sharif
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Shiraz University of Medical Sciences 2025-01-01
Series:Women’s Health Bulletin
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Online Access:https://womenshealthbulletin.sums.ac.ir/article_50578_af46140abdfde913baf377b063747710.pdf
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author Fahimeh Zarean
Ali Sheykholeslami
Esmaeil Sadri Damirchi
Ali Rezaei Sharif
author_facet Fahimeh Zarean
Ali Sheykholeslami
Esmaeil Sadri Damirchi
Ali Rezaei Sharif
author_sort Fahimeh Zarean
collection DOAJ
description Background: Couples diagnosed with infertility encounter a range of stressful experiences including strain on marital and family relationships, changes in sexual dynamics, and other unavoidable challenges. This study aimed to examine the impact of healing codes training on infertility stigma and self-concept among infertile women.Methods: This quasi-experimental study employed a three-stage design (pretest, posttest, and follow-up) with two groups (experimental and control). The target population comprised all infertile women seeking treatment at fertility centers in Isfahan, Iran in 2023. A convenience sample of 40 volunteers was selected based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The study participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n=20) or a control group (n=20). All participants completed the Infertility Stigma Scale and the Beck Self-Concept Test at the pretest, posttest, and follow-up stages. The experimental group received 14 weekly sessions of healing codes training (90 minutes per session). The control group was placed on a waiting list. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyze the data.Results: The healing codes group exhibited a marked decline in infertility stigma scores following the intervention. The pretest mean score of 90.40 (SD=15.42) decreased significantly to 72.80 (SD=11.82) at the posttest and remained relatively low at the follow-up, with a mean of 70.81 (SD=12.69) (P=0.001). Similarly, self-concept scores within the healing codes group demonstrated a notable reduction. The pretest mean was 62.92 (SD=7.44), followed by a decrease to 52.33 (SD=5.17) at the posttest and a minor fluctuation to 52.29 (SD=4.78) at the follow-up (P=0.001). In contrast, the control group exhibited stability in both infertility stigma and self-concept scores across time points.Conclusions: The findings of this study provide compelling evidence for the effectiveness of the healing codes intervention in addressing infertility stigma, and improving self-concept among individuals struggling with infertility.
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spelling doaj-art-b82cf84e70b44f6c9e8f8630bed822ea2024-12-19T07:08:28ZengShiraz University of Medical SciencesWomen’s Health Bulletin2345-51362382-99902025-01-01121566510.30476/whb.2024.104116.131450578Effects of Healing Codes Training on Infertility Stigma and Self-Concept in Infertile WomenFahimeh Zarean0Ali Sheykholeslami1Esmaeil Sadri Damirchi2Ali Rezaei Sharif3Department of Counseling, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, IranDepartment of Counseling, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, IranDepartment of Counseling, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, IranDepartment of Counseling, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, IranBackground: Couples diagnosed with infertility encounter a range of stressful experiences including strain on marital and family relationships, changes in sexual dynamics, and other unavoidable challenges. This study aimed to examine the impact of healing codes training on infertility stigma and self-concept among infertile women.Methods: This quasi-experimental study employed a three-stage design (pretest, posttest, and follow-up) with two groups (experimental and control). The target population comprised all infertile women seeking treatment at fertility centers in Isfahan, Iran in 2023. A convenience sample of 40 volunteers was selected based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The study participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n=20) or a control group (n=20). All participants completed the Infertility Stigma Scale and the Beck Self-Concept Test at the pretest, posttest, and follow-up stages. The experimental group received 14 weekly sessions of healing codes training (90 minutes per session). The control group was placed on a waiting list. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyze the data.Results: The healing codes group exhibited a marked decline in infertility stigma scores following the intervention. The pretest mean score of 90.40 (SD=15.42) decreased significantly to 72.80 (SD=11.82) at the posttest and remained relatively low at the follow-up, with a mean of 70.81 (SD=12.69) (P=0.001). Similarly, self-concept scores within the healing codes group demonstrated a notable reduction. The pretest mean was 62.92 (SD=7.44), followed by a decrease to 52.33 (SD=5.17) at the posttest and a minor fluctuation to 52.29 (SD=4.78) at the follow-up (P=0.001). In contrast, the control group exhibited stability in both infertility stigma and self-concept scores across time points.Conclusions: The findings of this study provide compelling evidence for the effectiveness of the healing codes intervention in addressing infertility stigma, and improving self-concept among individuals struggling with infertility.https://womenshealthbulletin.sums.ac.ir/article_50578_af46140abdfde913baf377b063747710.pdfself-healingstigmaself-conceptinfertilitywomen
spellingShingle Fahimeh Zarean
Ali Sheykholeslami
Esmaeil Sadri Damirchi
Ali Rezaei Sharif
Effects of Healing Codes Training on Infertility Stigma and Self-Concept in Infertile Women
Women’s Health Bulletin
self-healing
stigma
self-concept
infertility
women
title Effects of Healing Codes Training on Infertility Stigma and Self-Concept in Infertile Women
title_full Effects of Healing Codes Training on Infertility Stigma and Self-Concept in Infertile Women
title_fullStr Effects of Healing Codes Training on Infertility Stigma and Self-Concept in Infertile Women
title_full_unstemmed Effects of Healing Codes Training on Infertility Stigma and Self-Concept in Infertile Women
title_short Effects of Healing Codes Training on Infertility Stigma and Self-Concept in Infertile Women
title_sort effects of healing codes training on infertility stigma and self concept in infertile women
topic self-healing
stigma
self-concept
infertility
women
url https://womenshealthbulletin.sums.ac.ir/article_50578_af46140abdfde913baf377b063747710.pdf
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