An analysis of the anxiety and hopelessness levels of women during IVF‐ET treatment

Abstract

Purpose: This study determined the anxiety and hopelessness levels of women during in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer.Design and Methods: This cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted with 50 infertile women. The Personal Information Form, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) were used to collect data.

Therapeutic Intervention for Couples Experiencing Infertility: An Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy Approach

“…This is especially true for individuals and couples experiencing depression and anxiety symptoms. Given increased prevalence of depression and anxiety among individuals experiencing reproductive trauma (Gozuyesil et al, 2019), counselors should be cognizant of these symptoms and model in sessions effective communication and empathic reasoning for someone with these symptoms utilizing Part I and Part II interventions. This will provide a pathway for couples to better support one another.…”

“…However, the distribution of the medical cause of infertility in men and women is largely even, with the female partner alone responsible for infertility in 30.6% of cases and the male partner alone in 29.2% of cases (with both partners or unknown causes responsible for the remainder of cases; Farhi et al, 2011). Even still, modern culture gives repeated covert and even overt messages to women that their identity lies in their ability to reproduce (Cwikel et al, 2004; Gozuyesil et al, 2019).…”

“…Therefore, when women are deemed unable to meet that expectation for any reason, they may feel increased anxiety and depression (Gozuyesil et al, 2019; Lykeridou et al, 2009). Moreover, simply a desire to begin a family may predict feelings of grief, shock, and trauma upon learning of infertility.…”

“…Moreover, simply a desire to begin a family may predict feelings of grief, shock, and trauma upon learning of infertility. Previous researchers found women who were undergoing infertility treatment had significant elevations of feelings of hopelessness, increased anxiety, and grief (Gozuyesil et al, 2019). Another study of the prevalence rate of psychiatric disorders among women seeking fertility treatment using psychological and diagnostic interviews was staggering, with 40% of the women interviewed meeting criteria for a psychological disorder (Chen et al, 2004).…”

“…Couples may engage in assistive reproductive technologies (ARTs) such as IVF, which are costly and time-consuming. This leads to a myriad of unique experiences aligning with feelings of grief and ambiguous loss, hopelessness, and anxiety (Gozuyesil et al, 2019; Peloquin et al, 2018).…”