View in EDS HTML Full Text PDF Full Text

Transitional identities: challenges and coping mechanisms of Israeli gay fathers during assisted reproductive technologies.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Transitional identities: challenges and coping mechanisms of Israeli gay fathers during assisted reproductive technologies.
Authors: Geller, Shulamit (AUTHOR), Akerman, Yehoshuah (AUTHOR), Refaelove, Shanni (AUTHOR)
Source: Journal of Reproductive & Infant Psychology. Jul2026, Vol. 44 Issue 4, p954-972. 19p.
Subjects: Fatherhood, Group identity, Qualitative research, Separation anxiety, Gay men, Surrogate motherhood, Interviewing, Sexual orientation identity, Psychological adaptation, Judgment sampling, Uncertainty, Emotions, Assistive technology, Human reproductive technology, Attitude (Psychology), Experience, Sound recordings, Thematic analysis, Social status, Research methodology, Interpersonal relations
Geographic Terms: Israel
Abstract: Background: The rise in gay fatherhood, facilitated by advancements in surrogacy, has led to increased research on the well-being of gay fathers. However, there is limited understanding of how these fathers experience and cope with the psychological challenges of assisted reproductive technologies (ART), especially in specific cultural contexts like Israel. Objective: This study examines the experiences and coping strategies of Israeli gay fathers using transnational surrogacy, applying liminality as a framework to understand their navigation of the ART process. Method: Semi-structured interviews with 22 Israeli gay fathers were analysed using thematic analysis, to identify patterns related to their challenges and coping mechanisms. Results: Participants described a complex emotional journey involving phases of separation, uncertainty, and transformation. Key challenges during pregnancy included feelings of limited control due to physical distance from the surrogate, concerns over control, and cultural and linguistic barriers. Coping strategies involved normalising detachment, seeking professional support, and reframing relationships with surrogates. Transitioning to fatherhood brought both anxiety and joy, improving relationships with families who had previously struggled to accept their sexual identity, and enabling greater social acceptance and a renewed sense of identity. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the challenges of navigating status changes and transitional phases, emphasising the difficulties inherent in liminality. The study sheds light on adaptive coping strategies and underscores the importance of supportive networks for gay fathers undergoing ART. It also emphasises the role of cultural context in shaping these experiences, suggesting further research to deepen the understanding of gay fatherhood through ART. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Journal of Reproductive & Infant Psychology is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
Full text is not displayed to guests.
FullText Links:
  – Type: pdflink
Text:
  Availability: 1
Header DbId: pbh
DbLabel: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
An: 194783080
AccessLevel: 6
PubType: Academic Journal
PubTypeId: academicJournal
PreciseRelevancyScore: 0
IllustrationInfo
Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: Transitional identities: challenges and coping mechanisms of Israeli gay fathers during assisted reproductive technologies.
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Geller%2C+Shulamit%22">Geller, Shulamit</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Akerman%2C+Yehoshuah%22">Akerman, Yehoshuah</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Refaelove%2C+Shanni%22">Refaelove, Shanni</searchLink> (AUTHOR)
– Name: TitleSource
  Label: Source
  Group: Src
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Journal+of+Reproductive+%26+Infant+Psychology%22">Journal of Reproductive & Infant Psychology</searchLink>. Jul2026, Vol. 44 Issue 4, p954-972. 19p.
– Name: Subject
  Label: Subjects
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Fatherhood%22">Fatherhood</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Group+identity%22">Group identity</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Qualitative+research%22">Qualitative research</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Separation+anxiety%22">Separation anxiety</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Gay+men%22">Gay men</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Surrogate+motherhood%22">Surrogate motherhood</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Interviewing%22">Interviewing</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sexual+orientation+identity%22">Sexual orientation identity</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Psychological+adaptation%22">Psychological adaptation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Judgment+sampling%22">Judgment sampling</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Uncertainty%22">Uncertainty</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Emotions%22">Emotions</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Assistive+technology%22">Assistive technology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Human+reproductive+technology%22">Human reproductive technology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Attitude+%28Psychology%29%22">Attitude (Psychology)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Experience%22">Experience</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sound+recordings%22">Sound recordings</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Thematic+analysis%22">Thematic analysis</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+status%22">Social status</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Research+methodology%22">Research methodology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Interpersonal+relations%22">Interpersonal relations</searchLink>
– Name: SubjectGeographic
  Label: Geographic Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Israel%22">Israel</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Background: The rise in gay fatherhood, facilitated by advancements in surrogacy, has led to increased research on the well-being of gay fathers. However, there is limited understanding of how these fathers experience and cope with the psychological challenges of assisted reproductive technologies (ART), especially in specific cultural contexts like Israel. Objective: This study examines the experiences and coping strategies of Israeli gay fathers using transnational surrogacy, applying liminality as a framework to understand their navigation of the ART process. Method: Semi-structured interviews with 22 Israeli gay fathers were analysed using thematic analysis, to identify patterns related to their challenges and coping mechanisms. Results: Participants described a complex emotional journey involving phases of separation, uncertainty, and transformation. Key challenges during pregnancy included feelings of limited control due to physical distance from the surrogate, concerns over control, and cultural and linguistic barriers. Coping strategies involved normalising detachment, seeking professional support, and reframing relationships with surrogates. Transitioning to fatherhood brought both anxiety and joy, improving relationships with families who had previously struggled to accept their sexual identity, and enabling greater social acceptance and a renewed sense of identity. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the challenges of navigating status changes and transitional phases, emphasising the difficulties inherent in liminality. The study sheds light on adaptive coping strategies and underscores the importance of supportive networks for gay fathers undergoing ART. It also emphasises the role of cultural context in shaping these experiences, suggesting further research to deepen the understanding of gay fatherhood through ART. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of Journal of Reproductive & Infant Psychology is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=pbh&AN=194783080
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1080/02646838.2025.2474548
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 19
        StartPage: 954
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Fatherhood
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Group identity
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Qualitative research
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Separation anxiety
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Gay men
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Surrogate motherhood
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Interviewing
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Sexual orientation identity
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Psychological adaptation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Judgment sampling
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Uncertainty
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Emotions
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Assistive technology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Human reproductive technology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Attitude (Psychology)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Experience
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Sound recordings
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Thematic analysis
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Social status
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Research methodology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Interpersonal relations
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Israel
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Transitional identities: challenges and coping mechanisms of Israeli gay fathers during assisted reproductive technologies.
        Type: main
  BibRelationships:
    HasContributorRelationships:
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Geller, Shulamit
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Akerman, Yehoshuah
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Refaelove, Shanni
    IsPartOfRelationships:
      – BibEntity:
          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 07
              Text: Jul2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
          Identifiers:
            – Type: issn-print
              Value: 02646838
          Numbering:
            – Type: volume
              Value: 44
            – Type: issue
              Value: 4
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: Journal of Reproductive & Infant Psychology
              Type: main
ResultId 1