SOCIETAL REACTIONS AND THE PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF WOMEN EXPERIENCING INFERTILITY IN FAKO DIVISION, SOUTHWEST REGION

This study examined how societal reactions influence the psychosocial development of women experiencing infertility in Fako Division, Southwest region Cameroon. Using a convergent mixed-method design, quantitative data were collected from 354 community actors and qualitative data from five clinically diagnosed women suffering from infertility. Findings showed predominantly negative societal reactions, with 76.4% of respondents acknowledging stigma and discriminatory behaviours such as blame, mockery, marital instability, and exclusion from family activities. Chi-square tests revealed that age, sex, education, occupation, religion, and marital factors significantly shaped societal attitudes toward women suffering from infertility. Qualitative accounts further highlighted rejection by spouses and in-laws, emotional withdrawal from family members, and pressure to seek spiritual or traditional remedies. Regression analysis demonstrated a strong and significant effect of societal reactions on psychosocial development (R = 0.595, p < 0.001), explaining 86.60% of the variation. Conclusively, the study showed that negative societal responses profoundly undermine the emotional, social, and psychological wellbeing of women facing infertility, underscoring the need for community education and culturally sensitive support systems.