Les Valeurs d’Affirmation de Soi et la Résilience chez les Femmes Infertiles au Liban

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between self-affirmation values—power and achievement— and resilience in women facing infertility in Lebanon, within a cultural context strongly shaped by familial and religious norms. Infertility, perceived as both a social and personal failure in this setting, often leads to deep psychological distress. The study seeks to understand how these women, confronted with the social stigma of infertility, draw on personal values—particularly achievement—to maintain their psychological balance.The analysis highlights the crucial role of cultural, familial, and religious factors, which simultaneously intensify social pressure and support certain resilience strategies. The findings show that women who place importance on personal achievement or power often develop stronger resilience in the face of stigma. This resilience is reinforced when they engage in a process of personalization, redefining their identity beyond traditional social roles, and relying on their own values and aspirations—especially when supported socially.In contrast, men facing infertility, though also psychologically affected, tend to experience less direct social pressure. However, they are often less inclined to express their distress or to engage in a personalization process. Women, more frequently subjected to social criticism, tend to invest more heavily in achievement as a way to rebuild themselves and give new meaning to their identity.Thus, personalization emerges as a key mechanism enabling these women to psychologically reconstruct themselves and make sense of their experience despite societal expectations. The study emphasizes the importance of integrating socio-cultural context into clinical approaches and of developing psychological interventions that strengthen women’s internal resources.