The Role of Religiosity and Spirituality in Healing Infertility and Psychological Distress

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to discuss comprehensively the role of religiosity and spirituality in healing infertility and psychological distress. The journey of infertility strengthens the faith of many couples and boost up the relationship that exist between the couples and their deity. The psychological stresses that most couples go through in their quest for heirs to their family lineage is sometimes mind boggling. The concoctions to drink which mostly are placebo, spiritual incantation, childbirth as a time to grow closer to God, the use of religious beliefs and rituals as powerful coping mechanisms, childbirth as a time to make religiosity more meaningful, the significance of a higher power in influencing birth outcomes, and childbirth as a spiritually transforming experience.

Keywords: Infertility, Spirituality, Childbirth, Psychological Distress, Healing, Religiosity.