A systematic review of psychosocial factors associated with emotional adjustment in in vitro fertilization patients

Abstract

Whilst some psychosocial variables appear to be consistently associated with distress for IVF patients, two-thirds of the variables tested to date do not appear to be associated with emotional adjustment. This review highlights key psychosocial factors to assist the identification of patients at high risk of psychological distress. These findings highlight at least two psychological factors that may be amenable to alteration with psychological or educational interventions. Future work should explore whether experimental manipulation of such psychosocial factors can provide effective stress reduction in this clinical context.

Validation study of the SCREENIVF: an instrument to screen women or men on risk for emotional maladjustment before the start of a fertility treatment

“…Alternatively, it could be argued that the SCREENIVF should (and did not) predict emotional maladjustment regardless of outcome, for example predict the level of anxiety in response to pregnancy (e.g., fear about miscarriage). A recent review confirmed the importance of the five risk factors of the SCREENIVF associated with emotional adjustment (53).…”

A Randomized Controlled Trial Assessing Whether Listening to Music at Time of Embryo Transfer Effects Anxiety Levels

“…Certain psychosocial factors such as neuroticism and the use of escapist coping strategies, were identified in a recent systematic review as predisposing factors for increased risks of psychological distress, whilst an increased level of social support is protective [27]. The individual difference in sensitivity to stressors can account for the various aspects of stress and emotional adjustment in women undergoing assisted conception.…”

Evolution of psychology and counseling in infertility

“…This work has shown conclusively, for example, that infertile individuals present normative psychological functioning, infertility is emotionally distressing, women react more negatively to infertility than men, and that the infertility experience can strengthen the marital relationship. There is also extensive information on individual differences that modify the intensity of the infertility experience (e.g., coping styles, marital factors, social support, and infertility beliefs) (26). Furthermore, reactions to the different stages of fertility treatment are now well documented, for instance, that the 2-week waiting period is the most stressful period of treatment (27) and that treatment failure is followed by strong negative emotional reactions (mainly depression) that may last for 6 months (28).…”