Addressing the Psychosocial Consequences of Difficulty Conceiving

On June 23, 2026, Mª Dolores Sánchez-Hernández, Marta Badenes-Sastre, Samara Barrera-Caballero, and Marina Muñoz-González  of the Social Psychology and Gender Laboratory, directed by Professor Francisca Expósito of the University of Granada, held an online workshop for couples who wished to attend and who had taken part in the research study “Psychological, Relational, and Social Consequences Associated with Difficulty Conceiving,” led by Dr. María Dolores Sánchez Hernández.

The psychoeducational workshop had two main aims: first, to fulfill one of the commitments of the open research project—namely, to share the results obtained from participants’ assessments and answer their questions—and second, to create a space for meeting, reflection, and honest dialogue about how the process they were going through was affecting them psychologically, relationally, and socially. A central part of the session focused on analyzing the impact that beliefs about motherhood as a social mandate can have on women’s psychological well-being.

The session closed with an activity called “The Garden of Values” based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), through which participants reflected on their needs, values, and life priorities.

Feedback on the workshop was very positive. Among the comments received, some participants noted:

“I wish more women had attended the workshop. I think it’s very valuable to find an open, safe space to talk about this topic. It isn’t easy, so thank you so much for making it possible.”

“I am grateful for bringing visibility to the difficulties that people experiencing fertility problems go through; for creating a space where you gave us a voice and listened to us, and for the opportunity to reflect on such important aspects as the value of women. I found the final activity, visualising ‘your garden’, very powerful.”

The Social Psychology and Gender Laboratory would like to thank all those who took part in and placed their trust in this project, as well as for their contribution to advancing knowledge about the psychosocial impact of reproductive difficulties and its effect on women’s well-being.