Coping strategy in infertile couples undergoing assisted reproduction treatment

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of the study was to determine whether infertility is associated with coping processes and is there a difference between infertile women and men in the use of coping strategies? Material and Methods: In a cross-sectional study, the study sample consisted of 400 infertile couples, age at least 18 years and could read and write in Persian were enrolled at the Royan institute, Tehran, Iran, between July and September 2014. Participants provided demographic and Ways of coping questionnaire (WOCQ). Data was analyzed by paired t-test and multivariate analysis using SPSS software. Results: There was a significantly higher score for self-control in husbands compared to wives (P = 0.016). As well as wives have lower score of Confronted Coping and Distancing than their husbands however Accepting Responsibility, Positive Reappraisal were lower in wives than husbands but these differences are not significant (P > 0.05). Mean score of Seeking Social Support and escape avoidance of wives was higher and significant (P = 0.037, P = 0.022 respectively). Conclusion: Our finding showed that husbands have more Problem focused coping style and wives have more Emotion focused coping style. Keywords: Infertility, Coping style, Couples