Variation in distress among women with infertility: evidence from a population-based sample

Greil, Arthur L.; Shreffler, Karina M.; Schmidt, Lone; McQuillan, Julia

doi:10.1093/humrep/der148

Cited by 100 publications

(81 citation statements)

References 61 publications

(72 reference statements)

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“…When studying emotional adjustment to infertility, it is of foremost importance to take into consideration the subjective meaning of parenthood and childlessness in one's life (Greil, 1997; Greil, Shreffler, Schmidt, & McQuillan, 2011). In their review about women's emotional adjustment to ART treatments, Verhaak et al .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does infertility history affect the emotional adjustment of couples undergoing assisted reproduction? the mediating role of the importance of parenthood

Moura‐Ramos

Gameiro

Canavarro

et al. 2015

British J Health Psychol

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ObjectivesThe emotional adjustment of couples undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatments has been widely studied; however, it remains unclear whether infertility history contributes to couples' adjustment. This study examined the impact of infertility history (duration of infertility and number of previous ART treatment cycles) on the emotional adjustment of couples undergoing an ART cycle and the mediating effect of importance of parenthood on that association.MethodsIn this cross‐sectional study, 70 infertile couples (70 women and 70 men) completed self‐report questionnaires assessing emotional adjustment and infertility stress during the hormonal stimulation phase of an ART cycle. Path models accounting for the dyadic nature of the data examined the direct and indirect effects (by affecting representations about parenthood and childlessness) of infertility history on emotional adjustment.ResultsThe number of previous cycles affected men's, but not women's, emotional adjustment by affecting the representations on the importance of parenthood and of childlessness. Duration of infertility had the opposite effect, as couples with longer infertility reported heightened importance of parenthood, which negatively affected their emotional adjustment.ConclusionsInfertility history was associated with emotional adjustment in men and women, although these associations were complex. The results suggest that progression through treatment is harder for those men and women who attribute higher importance to being parents, which is aggravated by longer infertility. Statement of contribution What is already known about the subject? Infertility is an unexpected and stressful life eventAssisted reproductive treatments (ART) are emotionally demanding What does this study add? The influence of infertility history on adjustment is mediated by the importance of parenthoodMen and women are affected by their past history of infertility differently

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does infertility history affect the emotional adjustment of couples undergoing assisted reproduction? the mediating role of the importance of parenthood

Moura‐Ramos

Gameiro

Canavarro

et al. 2015

British J Health Psychol

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“…Each stage of treatment may become a source of more trouble. Women deciding to have infertility treatment are exposed to many negative feelings concerning different aspects of their life (Domar, Seibel, & Benson, 1990;Boivin & Takefman, 1995;Verhaak et al, 2001;Greil, Shreffer, Schmist, & McQuillan, 2011;Cousineau & Domar, 2007;Bielawska-Batorowicz, 2006;Bidzan, 2010;Donarelli et al, 2012;Domar et al, 2012).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychological determinants of life satisfaction in women undergoing infertility treatment

Dembińska¹

2016

Health Psychology Report

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Background Infertility treatment is a long-term process, spread out over months, or even years, and carries no guarantee of success. It generates an incessant state of uncertainty which becomes a chronic state of psychological discomfort. Each stage of treatment may become a source of more trouble. Women deciding to undergo infertility treatment are exposed to many negative feelings concerning different aspects of their life. Participants and procedure The present study was an attempt to understand psychological determinants of life satisfaction in women undergoing infertility treatment. The study group included 470 women treated for infertility. Results Patients perceiving more social support in general, as well as more of the support types used in the study, i.e. emotional, instrumental, informational and institutional support, and support from family and friends, have better self-esteem, higher acceptance of their infertility, higher satisfaction with life, higher hope as an emotional state, and lower levels of anxiety and depression. Three negative emotional states, i.e. anxiety, depression and irritation, are predictors influencing (lowering) life satisfaction of women struggling with infertility. The strongest of these predictors is depression, which is also a factor lowering the acceptance of one’s own infertility. The conducted analyses revealed that predictors influencing the life satisfaction of patients treated for infertility are self-esteem and acceptance of one’s own infertility (apart from the aforementioned emotional state – anxiety, depression, irritation). It was found that the higher the self-esteem and acceptance of one’s own infertility, the higher was the satisfaction with life. Conclusions Knowledge of these determinants is extremely valuable for medical personnel conducting treatments, because, according to many studies, the psychological state of women suffering from procreation problems is connected not only with effectiveness of the used procedures, but mostly with psychological support provided for such women.

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“…Further, extant research typically fails to differentiate between those who meet the medical criteria but do not realize they are infertile, those who perceive themselves to have a fertility problem although they do not meet the medical criteria for infertility, and those who both meet the medical criteria and identify as infertile. A few exceptions are Greil and colleagues' work on the "hidden infertile" (Greil et al 2009) and the link between perceiving a fertility problem and distress about infertility (Greil et al 2011b). …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Not all women who meet the medical criteria for infertility are aware that they have a problem (Greil and McQuillan 2010). Indeed, it is the perception of infertility that matters more for psychological outcomes than merely meeting the medical criteria for infertility (Greil et al 2011b).…”

Section: What Does It Mean To "Intend To Give Birth" In the Context Omentioning

confidence: 99%

Infertility and fertility intentions, desires, and outcomes among US women

Shreffler

Tiemeyer

Dorius³

et al. 2016

DemRes

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Variation in distress among women with infertility: evidence from a population-based sample

Cited by 100 publications

References 61 publications

Does infertility history affect the emotional adjustment of couples undergoing assisted reproduction? the mediating role of the importance of parenthood

Does infertility history affect the emotional adjustment of couples undergoing assisted reproduction? the mediating role of the importance of parenthood

Psychological determinants of life satisfaction in women undergoing infertility treatment

Infertility and fertility intentions, desires, and outcomes among US women

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