When Love Confronts Loss: Marital Satisfaction and Subjective Well-Being among Infertile Couples in Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the sociological and psychological aspects of infertility in Punjab, Pakistan, and the relationship between subjective well-being and marital satisfaction. Infertility is a debilitating illness that has social, psychological, and physiological repercussions. It is frequently associated with stigma, gendered blame, and familial pressure in South Asian societies such as Pakistan, endangering the stability and well-being of marriages. Purposive sampling was used to select 358 infertile respondents (179 men and 179 women) from LIFE-IVE centers in Multan and Lahore for a cross-sectional survey. Subjective well-being and marriage satisfaction were measured using standardized questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, linear regression, and Pearson correlation were all used in the data analysis. Results: Subjective well-being and marital satisfaction were shown to be strongly positively correlated (r =.958, p <.001). Marital satisfaction was found to be a significant predictor of subjective well-being by regression analysis (R2 =.918, ∆F = 3996.4, p <.001). One important factor influencing the subjective well-being of infertile couples in Pakistan is marital satisfaction. Improving connection, communication, and support between spouses may lessen the psychological toll that infertility takes. By highlighting the necessity of couple-focused interventions and stigma reduction measures to improve the quality of life for infertile couples, the findings support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) and 5 (Gender Equality).