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

International Journal of Developmental Issues in Education & Humanities Bilingual Journal of the Faculty of Education, University of Buea Volume 1, Issue 1 November–December 2025, pp. 224-236 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17846850 Copyright: © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Faculty of Education, University of Buea. This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. . Page 224 of 236 SOCIETAL REACTIONS AND THE PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF WOMEN EXPERIENCING INFERTILITY IN FAKO DIVISION, SOUTHWEST REGION Sarah Namondo Ndive, Patrick Fonyuy Shey & Romeo Kinge Livenje Department of Educational Psychology, Faculty of Education, University of Buea. Cameroon. Abstract 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 inlaws, 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. Keywords: Societal Reactions, Psychosocial Development, Infertility, Fako Division, Southwest Region. International Journal of Developmental Issues in Education and Humanities 1(1):224-236 Ndive et al P a g e | 225 Résumé Cette étude a examiné l'influence des réactions sociétales sur le développement psychosocial des femmes confrontées à l'infertilité dans le département de Fako, région du Sud-Ouest du Cameroun. Une méthodologie mixte convergente a permis de recueillir des données quantitatives auprès de 354 acteurs communautaires et des données qualitatives auprès de cinq femmes ayant reçu un diagnostic clinique d'infertilité. Les résultats ont révélé des réactions sociétales majoritairement négatives : 76,4 % des répondantes ont fait état de stigmatisation et de comportements discriminatoires tels que le blâme, les moqueries, l'instabilité conjugale et l'exclusion des activités familiales. Les tests du χ² ont montré que l'âge, le sexe, le niveau d'instruction, la profession, la religion et la situation matrimoniale influençaient significativement les attitudes sociétales envers les femmes souffrant d'infertilité. Les témoignages qualitatifs ont par ailleurs mis en lumière le rejet par le conjoint et la bellefamille, le repli sur soi vis-à-vis des membres de la famille et les pressions exercées pour recourir à des remèdes spirituels ou traditionnels. L'analyse de régression a démontré un effet important et significatif des réactions sociétales sur le développement psychosocial (R = 0,595, p < 0,001), expliquant 86,60 % de la variation. En conclusion, l'étude a montré que les réactions sociétales négatives nuisent profondément au bien-être émotionnel, social et psychologique des femmes confrontées à l'infertilité, soulignant ainsi la nécessité d'une éducation communautaire et de systèmes de soutien adaptés aux réalités culturelles. Mots-clés : Réactions sociétales, Développement psychosocial, Infertilité, Division de Fako, Région du Sud-Ouest. Introduction Infertility remains a critical global health and social concern, particularly in societies where childbearing is closely tied to a woman’s identity, social value, and psychological wellbeing. Although infertility has existed for centuries (Gerrity, 2001), contemporary evidence shows that societal expectations and cultural norms continue to exert substantial pressure on women who experience difficulties in conception (Ibisomi & Mudege, 2014; Ombelet, 2017). In many African settings, motherhood is more than a biological event it is a culturally ascribed achievement that validates womanhood, secures social belonging, and ensures continuity of lineage (Dennison, 2016; Dyer et al., 2004). Consequently, when a woman is unable to conceive, societal perceptions and reactions can shape not only her social experiences but also her psychological and emotional development. Recent studies indicate that infertility in sub-Saharan Africa is commonly perceived as a woman’s problem, which exposes affected women to disparaging social reactions including stigma, discrimination, marital instability, emotional neglect, and in extreme cases, physical abuse (Atijosan et al., 2019; Stellar et al., 2016). These societal responses often lead to psychological consequences such as depression, lowered self-esteem, social withdrawal, and heightened emotional distress (Hatamloye & Hashemi, 2012; Peterson et al., 2020). The psychosocial development of women defined broadly to include emotional, cognitive, relational, and social wellbeing can therefore be significantly disrupted when infertility is framed as personal failure (Kirca & Pasinoglu, 2013; Elshenrukh et al., 2021). This is especially evident in highly pronatalist contexts where childbearing is linked to social International Journal of Developmental Issues in Education and Humanities 1(1):224-236 Ndive et al P a g e | 226 security, marital stability, and generativity in adulthood (Abbasi-Shavazi, 2006; Yao et al., 2018). In Cameroon, particularly within the Southwest Region, infertility is not only medically challenging but also socially consequential. Pronatalist cultural norms remain strong, and infertile women are frequently perceived as incomplete, cursed, or responsible for family misfortune (Akinsola, 2013; Dyer et al., 2005). These perceptions intensify societal reactions such as ridicule, exclusion from cultural roles, and community-level stigma, all of which threaten women’s psychosocial functioning. Recent findings show that infertility prevalence in the Southwest Region is relatively high, with a significant proportion of affected women experiencing preventable causes such as sexually transmitted infections (Tiagha et al., 2020). Despite the multifactorial causes of infertility, societal blame is disproportionately directed at women, thereby increasing their vulnerability to mental health difficulties, relational conflicts, and disruptions to identity formation (Karaca & Unsal, 2012; Greil et al., 2018). Given these dynamics, understanding how societal reactions shape the psychosocial development of women experiencing difficulties in conception is critical within the Cameroonian context. While previous studies have examined stigma, cultural beliefs, or marital outcomes related to infertility, limited research has specifically explored how societal perceptions and reactions influence women’s emotional growth, social functioning, self-concept, and overall psychosocial wellbeing in Fako Division. This gap underscores the need for targeted inquiry into how societal attitudes such as blame, exclusion, discrimination, or negative labeling affect infertile women’s developmental trajectories. Therefore, this article investigates the impact of societal reactions toward women with infertility on their psychosocial development in Fako Division, Southwest Region of Cameroon. Understanding this relationship is essential for informing culturally sensitive interventions, improving mental health outcomes, and reducing stigma for women facing infertility in pronatalist communities. Methods Study Site and Population This study was conducted in Fako Division of the Southwest Region of Cameroon, an area characterized by diverse cultural norms, strong pronatalist beliefs, and marked societal expectations surrounding marriage and fertility. These sociocultural attributes make Fako Division a relevant setting for examining societal reactions toward women experiencing infertility. The study particularly focused on the Buea and Limbe subdivisions, selected for their large populations, ethnic diversity, and the presence of multiple religious, traditional, and community institutions known to shape societal norms and reactions. The populations within selected neighbourhoods Muea, Molyko, Great Soppo (Buea), and Moliwe, Bota, Mile 1 (Limbe) constituted the accessible study population. Two categories of participants were included: a) Women experiencing infertility, who provided first-hand qualitative accounts of societal reactions and their psychosocial consequences. b) Community actors including clergy, community leaders, traditional healers, elders, spouses, and gynaecological doctors who provided quantitative data reflecting how society perceives and reacts to women with infertility. International Journal of Developmental Issues in Education and Humanities 1(1):224-236 Ndive et al P a g e | 227 This population was purposively selected because they either:  Directly experience societal reactions (women suffering from infertility), or  Actively participate in the formation, enforcement, or interpretation of societal norms (community actors). This combination ensured a comprehensive understanding of how societal judgments, behaviours, and responses influence the psychosocial development of women experiencing infertility in the Fako sociocultural context. Data Collection Data collection followed a convergent mixed-method approach, allowing the researcher to capture both community-level reactions and the lived psychosocial experiences of women experiencing infertility. The quantitative strand focused on societal reactions, while the qualitative strand explored how these reactions affect psychosocial development. Both strands were collected simultaneously to ensure that societal perceptions could be directly compared with the experiences reported by women suffering from infertility. For the quantitative data collection, a semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 354 purposively selected community actors, including clergy, community leaders, traditional healers, spouses, elderly persons, and gynaecologists. This component aimed to quantify key dimensions of societal reactions to infertility, such as levels of societal awareness, prevailing perceptions and beliefs, attitudes and emotional responses toward women suffering from infertility, and the specific forms of reactions manifested within the community. These reactions included blame, stigma, social exclusion, discrimination, mockery, avoidance, and marital pressure. Sections B to F of the questionnaire consisted of Likert-scale items specifically developed to measure the nature and intensity of these societal reactions and to determine the extent to which respondents perceived such reactions to influence the psychosocial wellbeing of affected women. This quantitative tool was crucial for identifying dominant social norms, cultural attitudes, and behavioural patterns that infertile women must navigate within the Fako Division context. The qualitative data collection was designed to complement the quantitative findings by providing deeper insights into the psychosocial consequences of societal reactions. A total of five in-depth interviews were conducted with women clinically diagnosed with infertility and receiving care in selected hospitals in Buea and Limbe. These interviews explored the women’s personal encounters with societal judgments, including experiences of stigma, blame, ridicule, exclusion, or pressure from family and community members. Participants were encouraged to discuss their emotional and psychological responses to these reactions and to explain how such experiences shaped their psychosocial development, including their self-esteem, identity formation, social relationships, emotional stability, and coping patterns. The interviews were conducted in quiet hospital spaces to ensure privacy, comfort, and emotional safety. Each session lasted between 60 and 90 minutes, was audiorecorded with the participants’ consent, and included close observation of non-verbal cues to capture emotional nuances that verbal responses alone could not convey. The interview guide consisted of open-ended questions specifically designed to elicit rich narratives on societal reactions and their developmental implications. International Journal of Developmental Issues in Education and Humanities 1(1):224-236 Ndive et al P a g e | 228 Together, the quantitative and qualitative data sets offered a comprehensive and complementary understanding of how society in Fako Division responds to infertility and how these reactions shape the psychosocial trajectories of the women who experience them. Data Analysis Prior to data analysis, the quantitative data were entered into a pre-designed EpiData Version 3.1 database, which incorporated built-in consistency and validation checks. Each questionnaire was assigned a serial number and coded to allow easy tracing of individual responses and to facilitate verification during the cleaning process. After data entry, the dataset was transferred to SPSS Version 23.0 for further range, consistency, and validation checks. Once all errors were corrected, the quantitative data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, and multiple-response analyses were used to summarize patterns of societal perceptions and reactions toward women suffering from infertility. These summaries provided insight into the prevalence of stigma, discriminatory attitudes, exclusionary practices, and other forms of societal responses. Inferential statistics were then employed to determine associations between societal reactions and psychosocial outcomes. The Chi-square test was applied to compare societal attitudes across demographic groups, while Spearman’s rho correlation assessed the strength and direction of the relationship between societal reactions and variables related to women’s psychosocial development. Regression analysis was used to establish the predictive influence of societal perceptions on psychosocial wellbeing, and ANOVA was applied to evaluate the overall effect of societal reactions on women’s psychosocial development. Qualitative data from the in-depth interviews were analysed using thematic analysis to generate a deeper understanding of the psychosocial impact of societal reactions on women suffering from infertility. All interview recordings were transcribed verbatim, and field notes were reviewed to capture emotional expressions and non-verbal cues. Responses were then coded and sorted into themes that reflected participants’ lived experiences of societal judgments, stigma, exclusion, and emotional distress. Themes and sub-themes were developed inductively to capture the nuances of how societal reactions shaped women’s identities, relationships, coping strategies, and emotional wellbeing. Frequencies, quotations, and narrative descriptions were used to present the findings, with each theme considered equally important regardless of the number of participants who mentioned it. The integration of both quantitative and qualitative analyses allowed for a comprehensive interpretation of how community reactions operate at both structural and personal levels, and how these reactions collectively influence the psychosocial development of women experiencing infertility in Fako Division. Results The findings showed overwhelmingly negative societal reactions toward women experiencing infertility. Overall, 76.4% of respondents believed that societal reactions are largely negative, supported by a mean score of 3.02 on a 1–4 scale, indicating a high level of negative perception. A strong majority (92.7%) agreed that women face community pressure to conceive, and 80.5% reported that women are frequently blamed for infertility. Physical and social mistreatment were also widely acknowledged: 67.5% indicated that infertile women experience physical abuse, 74.0% agreed that some women are driven International Journal of Developmental Issues in Education and Humanities 1(1):224-236 Ndive et al P a g e | 229 from their homes, and 79.4% stated that women are maltreated by their husbands, in-laws, or the wider community. Additionally, 73.4% reported that women are mocked due to infertility, and 82.5% agreed that husbands often take another wife as a result of infertility. Denial of cultural rights was also noted, with 67.8% affirming that infertile women are excluded from such rights. Despite these negative pressures, 69.8% of respondents believed that women have access to health services related to infertility. Furthermore, 76.0% agreed that husbands tend to neglect their wives for failing to conceive. Collectively, these results reflect a pattern of strong societal stigma, discrimination, and emotional, social, and physical vulnerability experienced by women facing infertility table 1. Table 1: Societal Reaction Towards Women Suffering from Infertility Stretched Collapsed Mean SD Items SD n (%) D n (%) A n (%) SA n (%) D/SD n (%) SA/A n (%) Women have easy access to health services regarding infertility 24 (6.8) 83 (23.4) 150 (42.4) 97 (27.4) 107 (30.2 ) 247 (69.8) 2.9 0.88 Women experience pressure to conceive from the community 10 (2.8) 16 (4.5) 126 (35.6) 202 (57.1) 26 (7.3) 328 (92.7) 3.47 0.71 Women are blamed for infertility 10 (2.8) 59 (16.7) 138 (39.0) 147 (41.5) 69 (19.5 ) 285 (80.5) 3.19 0.81 Infertile women are physically abused 28 (7.9) 87 (24.6) 158 (44.6) 81 (22.9) 115 (32.5 ) 239 (67.5) 2.82 0.87 A woman is driven from home due to infertility 21 (5.9) 71 (20.1) 167 (47.2) 95 (26.8) 92 (26.0 ) 262 (74.0) 2.95 0.84 Women maltreated by the community (husband, inlaws, etc.) 17 (4.8) 56 (15.8) 184 (52.0) 97 (27.4) 73 (20.6 ) 281 (79.4) 3.02 0.79 Society mocks women suffering from infertility 23 (6.5) 71 (20.1) 168 (47.5) 92 (26.0) 94 (26.6 ) 260 (73.4) 2.93 0.85 Husband marries another woman due to infertility 22 (6.2) 40 (11.3) 151 (42.7) 141 (39.8) 62 (17.5 ) 292 (82.5) 3.16 0.86 Women refused cultural rights by community 30 (8.5) 84 (23.7) 148 (41.8) 92 (26.0) 114 (32.2 ) 240 (67.8) 2.85 0.9 Husband neglects wife for not conceiving 28 (7.9) 57 (16.1) 172 (48.6) 97 (27.4) 85 (24.0 ) 269 (76.0) 2.95 0.87 Societal Reaction towards Women suffering from Infertility 213 (6.0) 624 (17.6) 1562 (44.1) 1141 (32.2) 837 (23.6 ) 2703 (76.4) 3.02 0.84 Key: SD= Strongly disagree, D=Disagree, A=Agree, and SA=Strongly agree, SD: Standard deviation International Journal of Developmental Issues in Education and Humanities 1(1):224-236 Ndive et al P a g e | 230 The chi-square analysis revealed that societal reactions toward women experiencing infertility were significantly influenced by multiple sociodemographic factors. Significant associations were found between societal reactions and age (χ² = 12.842, p = 0.005), sex (χ² = 0.07, p = 0.012), education level (χ² = 16.47, p = 0.045), occupation (χ² = 15.287, p = 0.018), and religion (χ² = 10.784, p = 0.009). Marital-related factors were also significant, including marital status (χ² = 13.206, p = 0.006), type of marriage (χ² = 6.914, p = 0.015), and duration of marriage (χ² = 5.8, p = 0.031). These results indicate that societal reactions to women with infertility vary significantly across different demographic and social categories. Table 2: Societal Reaction Towards Women Suffering from Infertility Societal Reaction towards Women suffering from Infertility Variables Category D/SD n (%) SA/A n (%) Total based on response Chisquare pvalue Age 18–30 years 256 (27.5) 674 (72.5) 930 12.842 0.005 31–45 years 410 (36.6) 710 (63.4) 1120 46–60 years 340 (31.8) 730 (68.2) 1070 60+ 118 (28.1) 302 (71.9) 420 Sex Male 271 (26.6) 749 (73.4) 1020 0.07 0.012 Female 566 (22.5) 1749 (77.5) 2520 Education Primary 122 (33.0) 248 (67.0) 370 16.47 0.045 Secondary 164 (27.3) 436 (72.7) 600 Post-secondary 365 (30.6) 825 (69.4) 1190 University 368 (32.6) 762 (67.4) 1130 Never schooled 67 (39.4) 103 (60.6) 170 Occupation Employed 422 (33.9) 818 (66.1) 1240 15.287 0.018 Business 293 (27.9) 757 (72.1) 1050 Clergy 49 (28.8) 121 (71.2) 170 Housewife 75 (24.2) 235 (75.8) 310 Applicant 32 (16.0) 168 (84.0) 200 Retired 33 (20.6) 127 (79.4) 160 Nothing 51 (18.9) 219 (81.1) 270 Others 40 (28.6) 100 (71.4) 140 Religion Christianity 737 (33.3) 2333 (66.7) 3070 10.784 0.009 Muslim 81 (40.5) 119 (59.5) 200 Traditional 72 (34.3) 138 (65.7) 210 Buddhist 8 (13.3) 52 (86.7) 60 Marital Status Married 903 (31.5) 1957 (68.5) 2860 13.206 0.006 Single 59 (31.1) 131 (43.8) 190 Cohabitation 77 (34.9) 143 (44.4) 200 Divorced 40 (40.0) 72 (20.3) 100 Widow/Widower 43 (22.6) 147 (77.4) 190 Type of Marriage Monogamy 834 (30.4) 2077 (69.6) 2740 6.914 0.015 Polygamy 260 (32.5) 626 (67.5) 800 Marriage Duration 0–5 years 323 (31.9) 687 (68.1) 1010 5.8 0.031 6–9 years 336 (33.0) 674 (67.0) 1010 10–15 years 180 (30.5) 410 (69.5) 590 16–20 years 70 (21.2) 260 (78.8) 330 21+ years 107 (30.9) 437 (69.1) 600 International Journal of Developmental Issues in Education and Humanities 1(1):224-236 Ndive et al P a g e | 231 Societal Reactions and Support Systems for Women with Infertility The data shows that participants experienced diverse societal reactions to their infertility, ranging from hostility and rejection to support and encouragement, coming from family, religious leaders, healthcare workers, and the broader community. While some received emotional or informational support, many lacked adequate social or institutional mechanisms to help them cope. Rejection by Spouses and In-laws Respondent 2 describes intense pressure from her husband’s family to have a child, including introducing another woman to continue the family line. This reaction underscores the societal emphasis on reproduction, the threat of marital instability, and the emotional distress caused when women feel replaced or marginalized due to infertility. “My husband’s family brought another girl and told him to try with her. They said he needs a child to continue the family name. I felt like I had already been pushed aside.” Respondent 1 experiences societal and familial pressure suggesting that she should end her marriage to allow her husband to have children elsewhere. This highlights the perceived urgency to produce offspring and the stress women face when their fertility challenges are seen as a threat to marital stability: “They said I’m wasting his time. That if I love him, I should let him go. I feel like my marriage is on a timer. Nobody wants to wait.” Silence and withdrawal from family members Respondent 5 notes that others alter their communication or avoid topics related to children because of her infertility. This subtle distancing reflects societal discomfort with addressing childlessness and contributes to feelings of isolation and emotional marginalization: “They don’t talk to me like before. When something comes up about children, they just change the topic. I know it’s because of my situation.” Respondent 4 describes being excluded from family discussions and decision-making, with others claiming that certain matters “don’t concern” her. This demonstrates how infertility can lead to social marginalization within the family, undermining a woman’s sense of belonging and participation: “I feel left out during family meetings. They say, ‘This doesn’t concern you.’ It’s painful because I’m still part of this family, children or not.” Pressure to seek spiritual or traditional Remedies Respondent 2 shares that community members suggested consulting traditional healers, using herbs, or relying on prayers. This reflects societal tendencies to offer culturally rooted International Journal of Developmental Issues in Education and Humanities 1(1):224-236 Ndive et al P a g e | 232 solutions to infertility, indicating both concern and the promotion of non-medical interventions: “They say, ‘Go and try a native doctor.’ Some even say prayers alone can’t help me. One woman gave me herbs and said, ‘This one worked for my cousin.’” Respondent 1 describes being advised by church members to seek spiritual deliverance, suggesting that her infertility is viewed as a spiritual issue rather than a medical one. This highlights the role of religious beliefs in shaping societal reactions and proposed support for women facing fertility challenges: “In the church, they ask me to come for deliverance. They say maybe I’m being tied spiritually. I feel like everyone thinks my problem is not medical, but spiritual.” Table 3: The Impact of Societal Reactions Towards Women with Infertility on the Psychosocial Development of Women Suffering from Difficulties in Conception in Fako Division, Southwest Region Statistical parameter Societal Reaction towards Women suffering from Infertility Psychosocial Development of Women Suffering from Difficulties in Conception Explanatory power/predicted impact in terms of % (Cox and Snell test) Spearman's rho R-value 1 0.595** 0.865 p-value <0.001 N 354 354 86.60% Statistically, the findings predicted that societal reaction towards women suffering from infertility has a significant and strong impact on the psychosocial development of women suffering from difficulties in conception (R-value = 0.595**, p-value < 0.001). This impact is supported by a high explanatory power of 86.60%, indicating that societal reaction towards women suffering from infertility accounts for a significant portion of the variations in the psychosocial development of women with difficulties in conception. Therefore, the null hypothesis was rejected, and the alternative hypothesis, which states that societal reaction towards women suffering from infertility significantly impacts the psychosocial development of women suffering from difficulties in conception, was accepted. Discussion The results revealed a pervasive pattern of stigma and discrimination directed toward women experiencing infertility, demonstrating how deeply gendered expectations around childbearing entrenched were in many societies. The overwhelmingly negative societal reactions shown by the 76.4% of respondents who perceived societal attitudes as largely negative were consistent with earlier research indicating that infertility was often framed as a woman’s inability to fulfill expected reproductive and social roles (Dierickx et al., 2018; Inhorn & Patrizio, 2015). The high proportion of respondents reporting community pressure (92.7%) and the tendency to blame women (80.5%) further highlighted how