EXPLORING COPING MECHANISMS AND RESILIENCE STRATEGIES AMONG CHILDLESS COUPLES FACING INFERTILITY IN SOUTHEAST NIGERIA

Abstract

The plight of infertile couple in Nigeria especially within the South-east is vast. They are dehumanized and stigmatized as a result of premium placed on childbirth within the culture area. This study investigated the mechanisms such couples adopt in order to cope with their circumstance. The study adopted the mixed research method to collect quantitative and qualitative data. The findings revealed that couples mostly adopt socio-cultural mechanisms such as drinking herbal drugs, fasting and prayers and self-medication. The study recommends among others cultural sensitivity intervention program to assist such persons.