Differences in quality of life and emotional status between infertile women and their partners

Huppelschoten, Aleida G.; Dongen, A.J.C.M. van; Verhaak, C.M.; Smeenk, J.M.J.; Kremer, J.A.M.; Nelen, W.L.D.M.

doi:10.1093/humrep/det239

Cited by 101 publications

(93 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…Therefore, being a female can predispose to suffer emotional maladjustment, which is in agreement with studies such as Huppelschoten et al (2013) that found that 63.8% of infertile females and 45.6% of infertile males had, at least, one risk factor for developing emotional maladjustment. It is no coincidence that most infertility literature is focused on women, since they are who receive medical treatment and are most likely to develop emotional disorders during assisted reproduction treatment (Chiaffarino et al, 2011;Culley, Hudson, & Lohan, 2013).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Psychological predictor variables of emotional maladjustment in infertility: Analysis of the moderating role of gender

2015

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a b s t r a c tThe objective of this study is to find out if the variables state-anxiety, trait-anxiety, positive-affect, negative-affect, alexithymia, and adaptive (personal and interpersonal) resources can predict emotional maladjustment in infertile people, taking into account the potentially moderating role of gender. A sample of 101 participants with an infertility diagnosis (51 males and 50 females) completed a battery of psychological tests (DERA, Emotional Maladjustment and Adaptive Resources in Infertility questionnaire, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory [STAI], PANAS, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, and TAS-20, [Toronto Alexithymia Scale]). The moderating, partial, and interactive effects of the variables were analyzed using hierarchical regression analysis. The resulting model explained 71.1% of total variance, resulting in gender as an important moderating variable and trait anxiety, state anxiety, negative affect, and low interpersonal resources as strong predictors of emotional maladjustment in infertile people. These results provide guidance in selecting the most appropriate psychological support and treatment for the emotional adjustment of infertile women and men.Variables psicológicas predictoras del desajuste emocional en personas infértiles: análisis del papel modulador del sexo r e s u m e n El objeto del estudio es determinar si las variables ansiedad-estado, ansiedad-rasgo, afecto positivo, afecto negativo, alexitimia y recursos adaptativos (personales e interpersonales) pueden predecir el desajuste emocional en personas infértiles, analizando el posible papel modulador del sexo en dicho desajuste. Participaron en el estudio 101 personas con un diagnóstico de infertilidad (51 hombres y 50 mujeres) que respondieron a una batería de pruebas psicológicas (DERA, Cuestionario de Desajuste Emocional y Recursos Adaptativos en Infertilidad, Inventario de Ansiedad Estado-Rasgo [STAI], PANAS, Escala de Afectos Positivos y Negativos y TAS-20 [Escala de Alexitimia de Toronto]). Los efectos moduladores, parciales y de interacción de las variables se analizaron mediante un análisis de regresión de orden jerárquico. El modelo resultante explica el 71.1% de la varianza total, constituyendo el sexo una importante variable moduladora, mientras las variables ansiedad-rasgo, ansiedad-estado, afecto negativo y bajos recursos interpersonales actúan como importantes predictores del desajuste emocional en personas infértiles. Los resultados pueden ayudar en la elección de apoyos y tratamientos psicológicos y adecuados para alcanzar el ajuste emocional en hombres y mujeres infértiles. © 2014 Colegio Oficial de Psicologos de Madrid. Producido por Elsevier España, S.L.U. Todos los derechos reservados. Palabras clave: Desajuste emocional Ansiedad Afectos Alexitimia Recursos adaptativos Infertilidad i n f o r m a c i ó n a r t í c u l o

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Psychological predictor variables of emotional maladjustment in infertility: Analysis of the moderating role of gender

2015

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“…4; show that infertile and fertile women have significantly different mental and emotional conditions: infertile women experience significantly harsher emotional conditions (Nilforooshan et al, 2008). Based on the results of some studies, in infertile couples, women experience more stress in comparison with their husbands (Chachamovich, Chachamovich, Ezer, Fleck, Knauth, & Passos, 2010;Huppelschoten, van Dongen, Verhaak, Smeenk, Kremer, & Nelen, 2013). Other similar studies report no significant differences in the mean score of quality of life in infertile women.…”

Section: Conclusion and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Infertility can lead to a lot of problems for women, most notably reduce their quality of life (Huppelschoten et al, 2013). Women make up more than half of the population and are the foundation of the health of the family and community.…”

Section: Conclusion and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Comparative Study of Quality of Life in Infertile and Fertile Women Referred to Jahrom Infertility Clinics

Parnian¹,

Poorgholami²,

Parandavar³

et al. 2016

GJHS

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Introduction: Infertility is a medical problem which influences all the dimensions of one's individual and social life and can expose him/her to psycho-physical, socio-economic, sexual and family challenges. This study was designed to compare the quality of life of fertile and infertile women. Materials & Methodology:This is a case-control analytical study in which 180 fertile and infertile women (aged 18-42) participated. The infertile group consisted of women who had visited an infertility treatment clinic. The fertile group consisted of healthy women who had children and had visited a healthcare center in the city of Jahrom. For the case group (n=90), sampling was conducted based on the census method; for the control group (n=90), subjects were selected through stratified random sampling. Data were collected using a questionnaire which had two sections: demographic information and the World Health Organization quality of life questionnaire (WHO QOL-BREF). The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 16. Results:The mean age of the participants was 28.26±4.85 years. 76.5% of the infertility cases were due to female infertility and 5.9% were due to male infertility. The results showed that there was a significant difference between the infertile and fertile groups in their overall satisfaction with life levels (p=0.002). There were no significant differences between the two groups in mean scores of somatic, psychological, social and environmental dimensions (p>0.05). Conclusion:Considering the results of the present research, it seems that factors like acceptance of infertility by couples, hope for present medical solutions to be effective, use of support plans and recent advancements in technology are possible reasons for the absence of difference between the infertile and fertile groups in quality of life.

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“…There are gender differences in response to infertility. In a study of Dutch couples experiencing infertility, women had lower levels of quality of life than their partners [27].…”

Section: Significance and Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Thus, designing and conducting supportive programs play an important role in providing quality care for them [29]. Culturally sensitive assessment of the woman's partner, extended family, and social support network is important as a means to ascertain levels of social support that may mediate the experience's effects and enhance their sense of wellbeing [26][27][28].…”

Section: Implications For Clinical Practice and Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Missing Motherhood: Jordanian Women's Experiences with Infertility

Obeidat

Hamlan

Callister

2014

Advances in Psychiatry

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Aim, Background, and Introduction. Bearing and rearing children are an important part of life in nearly all cultures and are a central role for Jordanian Muslim women. Infertility can create anxiety, stress, and depression for couples who are infertile. Women frequently bear the emotional stigma of a couple's infertility. There is a paucity of literature focusing on Jordanian Muslim women experiencing infertility and failed assistive reproductive technology. Therefore, this study explored these women's lived experience. Methods. Qualitative data were collected through interviews with 30 Jordanian Muslim women who experienced failed assistive reproductive technology for infertility. Perceptions of experiences with failed treatment of infertility were documented and analyzed. Results. Major themes were identified: missing out on motherhood and living with infertility, experiencing marital stressors, feeling social pressure, experiencing depression and disappointment, having treatment associated difficulties, appreciating support from family and friends, using coping strategies, and fear of an unknown future. Discussion, Conclusion, and Implications for Clinical Practice. Being infertile significantly influences the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual health of Jordanian Muslim women as well as their quality of life. Perceived social support and personal coping strategies were used by study participants to mediate failed attempts to conceive. Designing and implementing culturally appropriate interventions for Muslim women globally who are experiencing infertility are essential.

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Differences in quality of life and emotional status between infertile women and their partners

Abstract: This work was supported by Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD), The Netherlands. There are no competing interests.

Cited by 101 publications

References 41 publications

Psychological predictor variables of emotional maladjustment in infertility: Analysis of the moderating role of gender

Psychological predictor variables of emotional maladjustment in infertility: Analysis of the moderating role of gender

A Comparative Study of Quality of Life in Infertile and Fertile Women Referred to Jahrom Infertility Clinics

Missing Motherhood: Jordanian Women's Experiences with Infertility

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