Table 3 Coding tree for coping strategies of women living with involuntary childlessness

Positive coping strategies

Seeking treatment

I have visited traditional doctors, herbalists, and medical doctors/gynecologists, I have gone every where

Spiritual coping

I put my trust in God

I go to church, and it helps me cope

I pray and read the bible

I know God’s reward will be in heaven

God created me for a different purpose

Optimism

I reassure myself and I know everything will be fine

What I do I love myself and I do not get stressed

I am very hopeful I will get a child one day

Acceptance

I Ignore negative comments because I can’t change my self

I am patient with my self

This is my fate and I take it as God’s will

Family and social support

My family is Supportive, understanding, patient, my husband counsels me, this makes me feel better

My partner provides, food, and money for treatment

My friends are Supportive, they advise me without being judgmental

I stay with my sister’s child who is like my own

Negative coping mechanism

Distractions

I concentrate on my work and make sure I accumulate money to keep my husband

I ignore everyone and every comment

I sometimes drink alcohol to forget everything

I make sure I obey my husband and do everything he wants

Social withdraw and isolation

I do not disclose my problems to any one as they may end up making me a topic of discussion

I hide from people

I avoid friends and anything that reminds me of my childlessness

I avoid social gatherings

When I cry, I feel better

Negative self-concept

What did I do to God, if mad women are raped and become pregnant, then why not me who has a husband?

I think my uterus was cursed

I hate myself and I know I was cursed