Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology (Jan 2017)

A study of sociocultural factors on depression in Chinese infertile women from Hunan Province

  • Hui Li,
  • Jun Lei,
  • Fengjiao Xu,
  • Chunli Yan,
  • Marin Guimerans,
  • Haiyan Xing,
  • Yiqin Sun,
  • Dengke Zhang

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/0167482x.2016.1265500
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 38, no. 1
pp. 12 – 20

Abstract

Read online

Objective: To explore the sociocultural factors influencing depression in Chinese infertile women in Hunan Province. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out. A total of 211 Chinese infertile women completed demographic details, a disease-related information questionnaire, a self-rating depression scale (SDS) and a social support rating scale (SSRS). Results: One hundred and seven (50.71%) of the participants were classified as depressed according to the self-rating depression scale. The average SDS index score was 50.06 ± 10.59. Using analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson correlation and a multivariable regression analysis, the results showed family type, feelings of discrimination, social support, feelings of shame and reproductive pressures were influential factors in depression among Chinese infertile women. Conclusion: Sociocultural factors influence depression levels in Chinese female infertile patients. The unique aspects of Chinese culture may have a negative mental impact on the patients, and cultural factors should be taken into consideration in the development of coping strategies for Chinese infertile women.

Keywords