Infertility perceptions and associated factors among Korean undergraduate students: a cross-sectional study.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Cross-sectional correlational survey study
PubMed 42487773 · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2026.1741644
What was done
A cross-sectional online survey assessed 159 unmarried South Korean university students (mean age 21.6 years; 79.2% female). Researchers evaluated infertility perceptions using the Infertility Perception Scale for Women (IPS-W), alongside measures of traditional gender stereotypes and family values. Statistical analyses included independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlations, and multiple linear regression.
What was found
The mean infertility perception score was 37.97 (SD = 8.23). Significantly more negative perceptions were observed among male students, individuals with religious affiliation, and those lacking media exposure to assisted reproductive technology (p < 0.05). Perception scores correlated with traditional gender stereotypes (r = 0.541) and family values prioritizing marriage and childbearing (r = 0.584). In multiple regression, gender stereotypes (β = 0.370, p < 0.001) and family values (β = 0.457, p < 0.001) accounted for 49% of the variance in infertility perceptions (adjusted R² = 0.49).
Why it matters
In a population with declining birth rates and rising infertility, this study highlights how traditional cultural norms and gender expectations shape young adults' attitudes and stigma surrounding reproductive challenges.
Limits
The sample size is modest (n = 159) and heavily skewed toward female participants (79.2%), limiting generalizability across genders and broader demographics. The cross-sectional design cannot determine causality, and all measures rely on self-reported survey data.