Experiences of Childlessness and Psycho-Spiritual Well-Being Of Koubri Association Members In Ouagadougou Diocese, Burkina Faso
Abstract
The study examined the experiences of childlessness and psycho-spiritual well-being among members of the Koubri Association in the Catholic Diocese of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. A mixed-methods convergent design was employed, integrating quantitative data from 68 respondents and qualitative insights from 10 interviews. Key findings identified medical factors (e.g., irregular ovulation, erectile dysfunction), socio-cultural beliefs (e.g., curses, ancestral disapproval). Participants reported high levels of societal stigma (mean = 3.47), psychological trauma (mean = 3.47), and stress (mean = 3.93), yet demonstrated moderate to high psycho- spiritual well-being (mean = 3.94) through faith, community support, and resilience. The study underscores the need for culturally sensitive interventions combining medical, psychological, and spiritual support to address childlessness in Burkina Faso.
Keywords
Childlessness, psycho-spiritual well-being, infertility stigma, Burkina Faso, faith and resilience.