1
|
Bokek-Cohen Y. The impact of relationship status on IVF patients' quality of life. Women Health 2024; 64:14-22. [PMID: 37919948 DOI: 10.1080/03630242.2023.2277890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Infertility treatments are emotionally taxing and include invasive and time-consuming procedures over extended periods of time. In light of the growing numbers of single mothers by choice, the objective of this study was to apply the Conservation of Resources Theory in the context of infertility care and examine whether relationship status constitutes a psychological resource that buffers the decline in quality of life during IVF treatments. We used the FertiQol questionnaire to compare the quality of life of IVF patients between 422 patients who are involved in a couple relationship ("attached") and 117 patients who are not ("unattached"). Results show that the total FertiQol was significantly higher among the attached participants; the Core FertiQol and the Treatment FertiQol were rated higher by the "attached." No significant differences were found between the attached and unattached for the Emotional and Social subscales. "unattached" participants report significantly lower levels of quality of life in the "mind-body" and "treatment tolerability" subscales than the "attached" participants. It is concluded that being involved in a long-term couple relationship is to be seen as a resource that buffers the decline in quality of life of infertile women undergoing IVF treatments.
Collapse
|
2
|
Renzi A, Di Trani M, Solano L, Minutolo E, Tambelli R. Success of assisted reproductive technology treatment and couple relationship: A pilot study on the role of romantic attachment. Health Psychol Open 2020; 7:2055102920933073. [PMID: 32637146 PMCID: PMC7323283 DOI: 10.1177/2055102920933073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Infertility is a deeply distressing experience, which can threaten important personal and martial goals, frequently affecting the psychophysical health. A supportive relationship and a secure romantic attachment appear to reduce infertility stress, as well as play a relevant role in the success of assisted reproductive technology treatments. The principal aim of the study is to investigate the predictive effect of romantic attachment, couple characteristics, quality of life and age on assisted reproductive technology outcome. A total of 88 infertile women, enrolled in an assisted reproductive technology Centre of Rome, completed the Experience in Close Relationship-Revised, the Couple Relationship Inventory, the Fertility Quality of Life and a socio-demographic questionnaire. The participants completed the questionnaires at the beginning of the medical treatment. Data analyses showed significant associations among Experience in Close Relationship-Revised dimensions, Couple Relationship Inventory and Fertility Quality of Life Scales. Assisted reproductive technology outcome was negatively correlated to Experience in Close Relationship-Revised Avoidance and positively related to Couple Relationship Inventory Dependence. A multi-variable logistic regression revealed that Experience in Close Relationship-Revised Avoidance decreased the probability of pregnancy. The present findings partially confirmed the study hypotheses since several associations among couple characteristics, attachment anxiety and avoidance dimensions, infertility-related quality of life in infertile women were found. Furthermore, according to a definition of Avoidance, assisted reproductive technology positive outcome appears to be associated to lower levels of fear of dependence and interpersonal intimacy, and to a low need both for self-reliance and for reluctance to self-disclose within the romantic relationship. Further investigations are needed both to confirm this preliminary finding and for promoting focused therapeutic interventions for couples facing assisted reproductive technology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Renzi
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Michela Di Trani
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Luigi Solano
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Renata Tambelli
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Brochu F, Robins S, Miner SA, Grunberg PH, Chan P, Lo K, Holzer HEG, Mahutte N, Ouhilal S, Tulandi T, Zelkowitz P. Searching the Internet for Infertility Information: A Survey of Patient Needs and Preferences. J Med Internet Res 2019; 21:e15132. [PMID: 31829963 PMCID: PMC6933516 DOI: 10.2196/15132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Revised: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Given the complexity of infertility diagnoses and treatments and the convenience of the internet for finding health-related information, people undergoing infertility treatments often use Web-based resources to obtain infertility information and support. However, little is known about the types of information and support resources infertility patients search for on the internet and whether these resources meet their needs. Objective The aims of this study were to (1) examine what individual factors, namely, demographic characteristics and distress, are associated with searching the internet for different types of infertility-related information and support resources and (2) determine whether Web-based resources meet the needs of patients. Methods Men and women seeking infertility care responded to a survey assessing use of Web-based resources for accessing infertility-related information and support. The survey further assessed satisfaction with Web-based resources as well as perceived stress and depressive symptomatology. Results A total of 567 participants, including 254 men and 313 women, completed the survey. Most participants (490/558, 87.8%) had searched the internet for infertility information and support. Searchers were more likely to be women (P<.001), highly educated (P=.04), long-term patients (P=.03), and more distressed (P=.04). Causes of infertility, treatment options, and scientific literature about infertility were the three most frequently searched topics, whereas ways to discuss treatment with family and friends as well as surrogacy and ways to find peer support were the three least searched topics. Of those who searched the internet, 70.9% (346/488) indicated that their needs were met by Web-based information, whereas 29.1% (142/488) said that their needs were not met. Having unmet needs was related to greater levels of perceived stress (P=.005) and depressive symptomatology (P=.03). Conclusions This study provides evidence for the important role of the internet in accessing infertility information and support and for the ability of Web-based resources to meet patients’ needs. However, although distressed patients reported particularly high rates of searching, their needs were not always met, suggesting that they may benefit from alternative sources of information and support or guidance from health care providers when searching the internet.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Felicia Brochu
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Stephanie Robins
- Department of Psychiatry, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Skye A Miner
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Sociology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Paul H Grunberg
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Peter Chan
- McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Kirk Lo
- Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Hananel E G Holzer
- McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Hadassah University Hospitals, Jerusalem, Israel.,Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | | | | | - Togas Tulandi
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada.,McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Phyllis Zelkowitz
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|