Psychological Components of Infertility

Swanson, Amelia; Braverman, Andrea Mechanick

doi:10.1111/fcre.12552

Cited by 7 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…Our results also indicated that the perceived impact of infertility was significantly higher in the intrapersonal than in the interpersonal domain, as also reported in the IRSS original validation study ( Casu and Gremigni, 2016 ) and coherent with previous evidence that the stressful implications of infertility concern the domain of self, more than social life ( Karabulut et al, 2013 ; Swanson and Braverman, 2021 ). In this study, the difference between levels of infertility-related stress in the two life domains was moderate for a duration of infertility of 1–2 years and small for more than 2 years of infertility duration.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

“…Stress can affect immune system activity and thus lead to physical and mental vulnerability ( Segerstrom and Miller, 2004 ). Implications of infertility include physical symptoms, reduced psychological well-being and quality of life, feelings of guilt and shame, use of negative avoidance coping strategies, and social isolation ( Rockliff et al, 2014 ; Luk and Loke, 2015 ; Rooney and Domar, 2016 ; Swanson and Braverman, 2021 ). Recently, a prevalence of 21–52% has been reported for depressive symptoms among infertile women, which is well above rates in the general population ( Kiani et al, 2021 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Infertility-Related Stress Scale: Validation of a Brazilian–Portuguese Version and Measurement Invariance Across Brazil and Italy

et al. 2022

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Infertility constitutes an essential source of stress in the individual and couple’s life. The Infertility-Related Stress Scale (IRSS) is of clinical interest for exploring infertility-related stress affecting the intrapersonal and interpersonal domains of infertile individuals’ lives. In the present study, the IRSS was translated into Brazilian–Portuguese, and its factor structure, reliability, and relations to sociodemographic and infertility-related characteristics and depression were examined. A sample of 553 Brazilian infertile individuals (54.2% female, mean aged 36 ± 6 years) completed the Brazilian–Portuguese IRSS (IRSS-BP), and a subsample of 222 participants also completed the BDI-II. A sample of 526 Italian infertile individuals (54.2% female, mean aged 38 ± 6 years) was used to test for the IRSS measurement invariance across Brazil and Italy. Results of exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) indicated that a bifactor solution best represented the structure underlying the IRSS-BP. Both the general and the two specific intrapersonal and interpersonal IRSS-BP factors showed satisfactory levels of composite reliability. The bifactor ESEM solution replicated well across countries. As evidence of relations to other variables, female gender, a longer duration of infertility, and higher depression were associated with higher scores in global and domain-specific infertility-related stress. The findings offer initial evidence of validity and reliability of the IRSS-BP, which could be used by fertility clinic staff to rapidly identify patients who need support to deal with the stressful impact of infertility in the intrapersonal and interpersonal life domains, as recommended by international guidelines for routine psychosocial care in infertility settings.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Infertility-Related Stress Scale: Validation of a Brazilian–Portuguese Version and Measurement Invariance Across Brazil and Italy

et al. 2022

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“…The reported experiences of emotionally challenging infertility treatment are consistent with previous study findings [ 21 , 22 ]. A qualitative study conducted in Ghana to explore the experiences of women seeking ARTs found that women were anxious, stressed, and frustrated [ 23 ].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Experiences of infertile women pursuing treatment in Kenya: a qualitative study

Njogu

Mutisya

et al. 2022

BMC Women's Health

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Background The infertility treatment process is associated with various psychological, physical, social, moral, and financial challenges, especially for women. The women are likely to report low marital satisfaction and emotional distress due to fertility treatment demands. This study explored how infertile women described their treatment experience and how they coped with treatment demands as they underwent treatment at three gynecology outpatient clinics in Kenya. Methods A qualitative phenomenological research design was used to analyze and describe women’s fertility treatment experiences. The data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews with 33 infertile women selected purposively. Trustworthiness of the findings was ensured using Guba and Lincoln’s criteria. The recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and then analyzed using reflective thematic analysis, developed by Braun and Clarkes. Results Three themes and 13 sub-themes related to women’s fertility treatment experiences and coping strategies were identified. The theme challenges encountered during fertility treatment have three sub-themes: emotional distressing, physical pain, and financial constraining. Theme impacts of fertility treatment on relationships have three sub-themes: relationship with their husband, relationship with their family, and relationship with their friends. Finally, coping with fertility treatment has six sub-themes: religious practices and personal faith, giving in to feelings, shifting focus, taking a break, staying with their relative’s children, and receiving support from others. Conclusion The experiences of women undergoing treatment are multi-dimensional. Therefore, incorporating psychosocial interventions or counseling into the fertility treatment routine with National Health Insurance Fund cards may reduce the treatment burden, improving women’s psychological well-being and relationships with their husbands, family, and friends.

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“…The experience of infertility has been described as a form of loss, frequently resulting in feelings of grief in both women and men ( Greil et al, 2010 ; Swanson & Braverman, 2021 ; Thorn, 2009 ). There are gender-specific variations in how men and women cope with emotional distress and loss.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“No One Asked Me If I’m Alright”: A Mixed-Methods Study Exploring Information/Support Needs and Challenges Engaging Men Diagnosed With Male-Factor Infertility

Obst,

Oxlad,

Turnbull

et al. 2023

Am J Mens Health

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There is limited research exploring men’s experiences of infertility, and fewer previous studies have examined what information and support men desire after being diagnosed specifically with male-factor infertility. We conducted a mixed-methods study utilizing a combined sequential, concurrent design (online survey/semi-structured interviews). Survey outcomes ( N =12) were analyzed using quantitative data analysis, while qualitative survey data ( N = 5) was analyzed by reflexive thematic analysis. Heterosexual men (>18 years), fluent in English, diagnosed solely with male-factor infertility/sub-fertility, who required assisted reproductive treatment within Australia in the past 5 years were recruited online and through fertility clinics Australia-wide. Most men reported that their information and support needs were only somewhat, slightly or not at all met. Preferred information sources on male infertility were a dedicated online resource, app, or fertility doctor/specialist, while support was preferred from fertility specialists and partners. Three themes were identified from the qualitative analysis about men’s experiences and support needs when diagnosed with male infertility (a) Ultimate threat to masculinity; (b) Holistic care, and (c) the power of words. The information-rich data collected provided valuable insights into men’s experiences of male-factor infertility and important considerations to improve recruitment for future research. A diagnosis of male-factor infertility has the potential to be deeply impactful and difficult to navigate for men. Adequate and holistic information, recognition of emotional impacts, proactive offers of support and sensitive language are needed to improve men’s experiences when undergoing assisted reproductive technology.

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Psychological Components of Infertility

Cited by 7 publications

References 43 publications

The Infertility-Related Stress Scale: Validation of a Brazilian–Portuguese Version and Measurement Invariance Across Brazil and Italy

The Infertility-Related Stress Scale: Validation of a Brazilian–Portuguese Version and Measurement Invariance Across Brazil and Italy

Experiences of infertile women pursuing treatment in Kenya: a qualitative study

“No One Asked Me If I’m Alright”: A Mixed-Methods Study Exploring Information/Support Needs and Challenges Engaging Men Diagnosed With Male-Factor Infertility

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