Effects of self-help mindfulness training on posttraumatic growth and self-efficacy in women undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effects of self-help mindfulness training on posttraumatic growth (including relationships with others, new possibilities, personal strength, spiritual change and appreciation of life) and self-efficacy in women with infertility after receiving in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET). Methods Between March, 2017 and April, 2018, 90 women diagnosed with infertility undergoing IVF-ET at the Reproductive Medicine Center of First Affiliated Hospital of Army Military Medical University were recruited for mindfulness training. All the women were provided with audio recordings of lectures on mindfulness and engaged in self-help training for 6 weeks (at least 45 min per day). To monitor the process of mindfulness training, we encouraged the women to share their daily records of the practice and conducted weekly on-line consultation about IVF-ET and mindfulness training. Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) and General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) were used to evaluate the women before and after the intervention. Results The total scores of PTGI and GSES and the dimension scores for relationships with others, personal strength, and appreciation of life were all significantly increased in these women after self-help mindfulness training (P 2 to 5 years (P < 0.05). Conclusion Self-help mindfulness training can promote posttraumatic growth and self-efficacy in women undergoing IVF-ET, especially in those at a younger age, with a higher education level and a shorter infertility duration.

Keywords

• mindfulness
• in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer; posttraumatic growth
• self-efficacy