Safe spaces, valued voices, and altruistic intentions: a qualitative study examining factors influencing Black women experiencing infertility and their willingness to participate in medical research

Abstract

Objective

To explore factors influencing Black women experiencing infertility to willingly engage in a research study, with the aim of informing ethically responsive recruitment strategies.

Design

A qualitative secondary data analysis using inductive thematic analysis of semistructured interview data.

Subjects

A total of 13 Black women with self-reported infertility who previously participated in a reproductive health research study.

Exposure

Participant experiences and perspectives regarding decision-making processes for participation in infertility-related research.

Main Outcome Measures

Perceived motivators, facilitators, and contextual factors influencing participation in reproductive health research among Black women.

Results

Three major themes emerged as key influences on participation: Safety—participants emphasized the importance of psychological and cultural safety and trust in the research process; Valued voices—participants viewed their contributions as meaningful opportunities to amplify the experiences of Black women in infertility research; and Altruistic intentions—many women expressed a commitment to helping others by advancing awareness and improving care for future patients.

Conclusion

Black women’s decisions to participate in reproductive health research are guided by feelings of safety, voice, and altruism. Researchers aiming to improve diversity in infertility studies should center participants’ emotional safety, ensure cultural responsiveness, and explicitly communicate the value of participants’ contributions. These findings provide a practical framework for ethically enhancing recruitment and engagement of underrepresented groups in clinical research.