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Mazing: Infertile Couples and the Quest for a Child
Author(s) -
Sandelowski Margarete,
Harris Betty G.,
HolditchDavis Diane
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
image: the journal of nursing scholarship
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.009
H-Index - 80
eISSN - 1547-5069
pISSN - 0743-5150
DOI - 10.1111/j.1547-5069.1989.tb00147.x
Subject(s) - grounded theory , cognitive reframing , resource (disambiguation) , theoretical sampling , process (computing) , key (lock) , psychology , subject (documents) , core (optical fiber) , sociology , computer science , qualitative research , social psychology , social science , computer security , computer network , operating system , telecommunications , library science
The overall purpose of the ongoing research project on which this report is based is to explore the transition to parenthood of infertile couples who achieve parenthood through adoption or biotechnical means. Mazing, the process of negoitating the paths to parenthood, was found to be a key component of that transition and the core variable that integrates the experiences of infertile couples after a period of trying but failing to have a child of their own on their own. The theory of mazing is grounded in information obtained from 40 couples who were designated for this study by means of theoretical sampling. Techniques generic to grounded theory research were employed; these included open‐ended interviews, constant comparison and subject validation. Mazing, a recursive, iterative and resource‐intensive process, includes (a) the construction of a calculus of pursuit, (b) six distinctive patterns of pursuit, and (c) the reframing of desire.