Experiential avoidance, self-compassion, self-judgment and coping styles in infertility

Abstract

Highlights-Infertile couples show higher scores of experiential avoidance and self-judgment.-Infertile women show higher maladaptive emotion regulation than their male partners.-Couples applying for adoption show higher scores of self-compassion.-Psychological interventions for infertile couples should target emotion regulation processes.-Contextual cognitive-behavioral therapies may be adequate for infertile patients. 1 Title: Experiential avoidance, self-compassion, self-judgment and coping styles in infertility AbstractObjectives: This study sought out to explore the existence of differences regarding emotion regulation processes (psychological inflexibility/experiential avoidance, self-judgment and selfcompassion) and coping styles (emotional/detached, avoidant and rational) in three different groups of couples: 120 fertile couples (FG), 147 couples with an infertility diagnosis who were pursuing medical treatment for their fertility problem(s) (IG), and 59 couples with infertility applying for adoption (AG).Study design: Cross-sectional survey, using the couple as unit of analysis.Main outcome measures: Participants filled in paper-pencil questionnaires assessing coping styles, psychological inflexibility/experiential avoidance, self-judgment and self-compassion.Results: IG couples, and particularly women, tend to use more experiential avoidance and selfjudgment mechanisms and less emotional/detached coping style. When compared to FG couples, IG and AG couples tend to apply more avoidant coping strategies. AG couples showed higher self-compassion.Conclusions: Findings suggest that emotion regulation processes may be an important target in psychological interventions for patients dealing with infertility and with the demands of medical treatment.

Extreme desire for motherhood: Analysis of narratives from women undergoing Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)

“…As we already know, the sense of exclusion and isolation often afflicts the patients with infertility problems (Cunha et al, 2016;Mann, 2014). Moreover, we think that the ambivalence about motherhood was more socially acceptable before the advent of assisted reproductive technologies.…”

Coping Strategies and Quality of Life among Infertile Women in Damanhour City

“…Coping with infertility during diagnosis and treatment positively affects the health status of the couples involved. (25,26) Since infertility has been known to adversely affect the mental and social health of infertile couples, the assessment of quality of life has become as important as the treatment of infertility. (27,28) Quality of life evaluation allows the understanding of the impact of health conditions or interventions on the patient from a broad perspective; not only the morbidity and mortality, but also the emotional symptoms.…”

The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychosocial structure; depression, anxiety, loneliness and social support in infertile women in our population

“…There is not yet a clear treatment plan for infertile women with marked emotional changes, anxiety, feelings of loneli-ness, or depressive symptoms. Cunha et al [19] suggested that emotions could be managed through programs and therapy. Martins et al [20] reported that partner support was often found to be crucial in dealing with infertilityrelated psychological issues.…”