Purpose and Questionnaire Analysis

The Fertility Problem Inventory (FPI-46), developed by Newton and colleagues in 1999, is a tool consisting of 46 items answered by individuals experiencing infertility, whether male or female. The purpose of the questionnaire is to record and assess the stress caused by infertility.

Scoring and Statistical Analysis

The questionnaire comprises 46 items, each rated on a 6-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (strongly agree) to 6 (strongly disagree). The items are grouped into five subscales: relationship concerns (10 items), social concerns (10 items), sexual concerns (8 items), need for parenthood (10 items), and rejection of a childfree lifestyle (8 items). The score for each subscale is calculated by summing the responses to the items in that subscale. A higher score indicates a higher level of stress related to infertility.

Validity and Reliability

In terms of reliability, Cronbach’s alpha values for the subscales were as follows: relationship concerns 0.73, social concerns 0.79, sexual concerns 0.82, need for parenthood 0.77, and rejection of a childfree lifestyle 0.72. These values suggest that the instrument demonstrates satisfactory internal consistency and reliability.

References

Newton, C. R., Sherrard, W., & Glavac, I. (1999). The Fertility Problem Inventory: measuring perceived infertility-related stress. Fertility and Sterility, 72(1), 54–62.
Said, N. (2019). Fertility Concerns While Trying to Conceive.
Zurlo, M. C., Cattaneo Della Volta, M. F., & Vallone, F. (2017). Factor structure and psychometric properties of the Fertility Problem Inventory–Short Form. Health Psychology Open, 4(2), 2055102917738657.