Is a dyadic stressor experienced as equally distressing by both partners? The case of perceived fertility problems

Resilience among involuntarily childless couples and individuals undergoing infertility treatment: a systematic review

Infertility is regarded as a highly stressful and challenging experience. However, the response to this unexpected moment varies from one individual to the other. The review explores research that studies resilience in the context of infertility and its treatment. The purpose was to study the protective and risk factors associated with resilience and to identify psychosocial factors that could play a crucial role in resilience among infertile couples and individuals who are seeking infertility treatment. Four major databases (PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Wiley Online Library) were searched with appropriate keywords. A total of 4101 articles were retrieved from the databases and after following various levels of screening 18 articles were finalized. These articles explored resilience and other psychosocial factors in couples/individuals seeking infertility treatment. The protective factors associated with resilience were quality of life, coping, social support, and posttraumatic growth. The risk factors associated with resilience were infertility-related stress, anxiety and depression. The unexpected diagnosis of infertility might be disturbing for many, still, it may not be extremely agonizing for some. Individuals who are encouraged to utilize their own resources and seek support are able to deal with stressors associated with infertility.

Coping, social support and medical factors on psychosocial impact in couples experiencing infertility

This study assessed dyadically the relationship between psychosocial impact of infertility experienced by 87 couples and individual coping strategies, perceived social support and some medical factors. Although problem-focused strategies emerged as positive, certain side effects on partner were revealed. Social support was related to psychosocial outcomes in a positive way, cognitive component of coping strategies resulted as a prominent factor on individual's adjustment as well as the partner's role. Findings suggest the convenience of promoting the awareness about the effects of each partner's feelings, behaviors and beliefs on his/her individual's well-being in this field due to the interdependent context in which they are. Infertility counselors may foster this process by evaluating and educating to them about the functionality of these factors.

A dyadic approach to depression, resilience and quality of life on marital adjustment among infertile couples in Karachi, Pakistan: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Infertility is a major reproductive health problem in Pakistan. It has the potential to cause serious negative impact on a couple's marital life and psychological health.

AIM

This study aimed to assess the factors associated with maladjustment among infertile couples.

METHOD

An analytical cross-sectional design was employed. Validated scales were used to assess marital adjustment, depression, resilience and quality of life among infertile couples. Purposive sampling was employed to enrol 334 infertile couples from a private infertility medical centre, of Karachi, Pakistan.

RESULTS

Among couples, marital adjustment scores were comparable, but resilience and quality of life were significantly low among wives whereas depression was significantly high among wives compared with husbands. Wives' marital adjustment was positively correlated with husband's resilience and quality of life and negatively related with his depression. After employing adjusted actor-partner interdependence modelling, wives' own depression and resilience had significant effect on their marital adjustment and their partner's resilience, depression and quality of life did not have any impact on their outcome. On the contrary, wives' resilience had a significant effect in increasing the marital adjustment of their husband.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the need to promote psychological support (resilience building skills) or couples' therapy to all those couples undergoing infertility treatment.

Is perceived inability to procreate associated with life satisfaction? Evidence from a German panel study

Most studies of the psychosocial consequences of infertility have focused on those who seek medical treatment, leaving a research gap regarding the psychosocial consequences of perceived inability to procreate in the general population. Moreover, most studies are cross-sectional and the results are thus likely affected by omitted variable bias. Inspired by aspects of the Theory of Conjunctural Action, this study analysed 10 waves of data from the German Family Panel (pairfam) for women and men using fixed effects panel regression and including time-varying control variables suggested by theory and research. This study found that both women and men experienced lower life satisfaction in years when they perceived an inability to procreate. This association was not affected by the inclusion of relevant time-varying control variables. Furthermore, the association between perceived barriers to procreation and life satisfaction was found to differ depending on life circumstances and gender. Women with partners and men without partners had lower life satisfaction when they perceived an inability to procreate compared with when they did not. Women and men who intended to have a(nother) child had lower life satisfaction when they perceived an inability to procreate compared with when they did not. The association, however, was only significant for men. Somewhat surprisingly, women who perceived an inability to procreate also had lower life satisfaction when they were not intending to have a(nother) child. This study makes an important contribution to research on the psychosocial consequences of perceived infertility, and provides insights into why some people may pursue assisted reproductive technology for family creation.

Study on the Interdependent Relationship between the Marital Satisfaction Variable and the Psychosocial Impact of Infertility and Anxiety Disposition, According to Gender

This study assessed the relationship between the marital satisfaction variable and the psychosocial impact of infertility and anxiety disposition, testing for possible gender-based differences. Comparisons performed on 87 couples did reveal differences and analyses disclosed that depression, anxiety and quality of life can influence the assessment each partner makes of their relationship, through an interdependent process. One partner's marital satisfaction can be influenced by those variables in the other partner. These findings indicate that psychosocial care for infertile couples must involve both partners and that they should be made aware of the effect of interdependence on marital satisfaction.