Women coping strategies to infertility stress can impact IVF outcome

• Published in: European psychiatry Vol. 33; no. S1; p. S624
• Main Authors: Kitanovic, B, Tulic, L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Masson SAS 01-03-2016
• Subjects: Internal Medicine; Psychiatry
• ISSN: 0924-9338; 1778-3585
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2016.01.2341

Infertility is defined as a failure to achieve a pregnancy after a woman has attempted to get pregnant for more than 12 months. The impact of psychosocial factors on IVF outcome is a growing field of research. This is the first study estimating the impact of psychosocial stress and women coping on IVF outcome in Serbia. The aim of this pilot investigation was to assess the influence of psychological factors on the outcome of in vitro fertilization in Serbian women. Psychometric tests were administered at the first visit to 100 women undergoing IVF treatment at Clinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Clinical centre of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Serbia. We used questionnaire that covered key demographic and obstetric information and Serbian version of COMPI test, specially designed test measuring stress in infertility, as well as, Zung Depression Self-Rating Scale and Beck Anxiety Inventory. Results of pregnant and non-pregnant group were compared. In the cohort of Serbian women, it has been remarked that they predominantly use active confronting coping style. We found statistically significant differences ways of coping styles between pregnant and non-pregnant group. Women from the pregnant group had significantly lower scores of marital distress, and significantly higher use of meaningbased coping styles. It is found that the use of active avoidance coping correlates negatively with the level of depression and personal, marital and social distress. Clinicians should be aware that infertility is a stressor itself and that coping strategies can influence IVF outcome. Therefore, psychosocial assessment should be a part of an IVF unit.