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Childlessness: Concept Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Olga Gouni

    (Cosmoanelixis, 104 37 Athens, Greece)

  • Gabija Jarašiūnaitė-Fedosejeva

    (Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Vytautas Magnus University, LT-44248 Kaunas, Lithuania)

  • Burcu Kömürcü Akik

    (Department of Psychology, Faculty of Languages and History-Geography, Ankara University, Ankara 06100, Turkey)

  • Annaleena Holopainen

    (Department of Clinical Child and Family Studies, Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Jean Calleja-Agius

    (Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, MSD 2080 Msida, Malta)

Abstract

The purpose of this concept analysis is to explore childlessness and provide understanding to professionals involved in the field of infertility. Walker and Avant’s method was used to identify descriptions, antecedents, consequences, and empirical referents of the concept. A model with related and contrary cases was developed. The analysis was based on the definition of the term in major dictionaries in the Greek, Lithuanian, Finnish, Maltese, and Turkish languages, while further literature searches utilized the Web of Science, PubMed, PsychInfo, Medline, Google Scholar, and National Thesis Databases. The literature search was limited to papers/books published in the authors’ national languages and English. As a result, childlessness is defined as the absence of children in the life of an individual, and this can be voluntary or involuntary. However, the deeper analysis of the concept may be preceded and amplified through cultural, psychological, biological, philosophical, theological, sociological, anthropological, and linguistic aspects throughout history. These elements presented challenges for childless individuals, ultimately influencing their choices to resort to alternative ways of becoming parents, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), surrogacy, adoption, or other forms of childbearing. Historically, childlessness has been viewed with negative connotations due to its potential impact on the survival of the human species. This negativity can be directed even to individuals who may decide to opt to voluntarily remain childfree. The long-term impact of the experience, both on an individual and collective level, continues to cause pain to those who are involuntarily childless. In conclusion, health professionals and other stakeholders who have a deep understanding of childlessness, including the antecedents and attributes, can minimize the potential negative consequences of those factors contributing to childlessness, whether voluntary or involuntary. In fact, they can capitalize on a powerful impact of change adaptation by providing support to those in their practice to recover the lost homeostasis.

Suggested Citation

  • Olga Gouni & Gabija Jarašiūnaitė-Fedosejeva & Burcu Kömürcü Akik & Annaleena Holopainen & Jean Calleja-Agius, 2022. "Childlessness: Concept Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-45, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:3:p:1464-:d:736256
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. repec:cai:poeine:pope_203_0417 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. repec:cai:poeine:pope_304_0451 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Katerina Georgiadis, 2011. "Fertile Debates: A Comparative Account of Low Fertility in the British and Greek National Press [Des débats féconds: analyse comparative de la prise en compte des faibles fécondités dans les presse," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 27(2), pages 243-262, May.
    4. Ringbäck Weitoft, Gunilla & Burström, Bo & Rosén, Måns, 2004. "Premature mortality among lone fathers and childless men," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 59(7), pages 1449-1459, October.
    5. Petra Buhr & Johannes Huinink, 2017. "Why Childless Men and Women Give Up on Having Children," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 33(4), pages 585-606, October.
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