Women coping strategies to infertility stress can impact IVF outcome[EV1356]

Abstract

Infertility is defined as a failure to achieve a pregnancy after a woman hasattempted to get pregnant for more than 12 months. The impact of psychosocialfactors on IVF outcome is a growing field of research. This is the first studyestimating the impact of psychosocial stress and women coping on IVF outcome inSerbia. The aim of this pilot investigation was to assess the influence ofpsychological factors on the outcome of in vitro fertilization in Serbian women.Psychometric tests were administered at the first visit to 100 women undergoingIVF treatment at Clinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Clinical centre of Serbia,University of Belgrade, Serbia. We used questionnaire that covered keydemographic and obstetric information and Serbian version of COMPI test,specially designed test measuring stress in infertility, as well as, ZungDepression Self-Rating Scale and Beck Anxiety Inventory. Results of pregnant andnon-pregnant group were compared. In the cohort of Serbian women, it has beenremarked that they predominantly use active confronting coping style. We foundstatistically significant differences ways of coping styles between pregnant andnon-pregnant group. Women from the pregnant group had significantly lower scoresof marital distress, and significantly higher use of meaningbased coping styles.It is found that the use of active avoidance coping correlates negatively withthe level of depression and personal, marital and social distress. Cliniciansshould be aware that infertility is a stressor itself and that coping strategiescan influence IVF outcome. Therefore, psychosocial assessment should be a partof an IVF unit.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.