Social problems and suffering from the treatment process for infertile couples, especially for women, require the couples to cope with them to balance the infertility crisis. According to the close interactions of the couples with each other, the objective of the present study was to explore a theoretical framework for the relationships between women’s coping strategies, spouses’ coping strategies, and women’s psychological health in infertile couples who were candidates for assisted reproductive technology (ART). This cross-sectional study was carried out on 212 couples undergoing ART. The couples’ coping strategies were evaluated using a validated self-report questionnaire. The women’s psychological health was assessed using a 21-item stress, anxiety, and depression scale (DASS-21). Statistical analysis was performed using the plug-in application PROCESS macro for SPSS. The direct effect of the women’s self-blame and self-focused rumination strategies (p < .0001), and the indirect effect of the women’s self-blame on stress and depression by mediating spouses’ self-blame and self-focused rumination strategies, was significant. The indirect effect of the women’s self-focused rumination on the anxiety and depression levels by mediating spouses’ self-blame strategy was significant. The women’s self-blame and self-focused rumination strategies had a negative effect on the women’s psychological health who were undergoing ART. This negative effect was mediated by the spouse’s coping strategies.

BACKGROUND: Sexual function is affected by many psychological factors and emotions. The impact of emotion management varies in different fertility situationsThis can affect women's sexual function. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between sexual function and emotional intelligence and its components based on fertility status in women referring to health centers in Yazd. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study is a correlational study that was performed on 165 women with inclusion criteria and referred to 4 selected health centers in Yazd in 2017. The study tools include demographic questionnaire, Female Sexual Function Index sexual function, and Bar-On emotional intelligence. The fertility status of women in the present study included a history of infertility, number of children, and history of abortion. The analysis was performed using descriptive statistical methods and analytical tests with SPSS software version 18. RESULTS: The mean score of all components of emotional intelligence except the components of self-expression, independence, and emotional self-awareness and also the total score of emotional intelligence infertile people was significantly higher than infertile people (P < 0.05). Regarding the relationship between emotional intelligence and sexual function in terms of fertility variables, a significant correlation was observed between the mean scores of all components of emotional intelligence except interpersonal relationships, flexibility, responsibility, empathy, and self-expression with sexual performance score in fertile individuals.(P = 0.000). Conclusion: As a result, it is suggested that the institutions in charge of women's affairs try to increase emotional intelligence and improve women's sexual function by holding workshops and classes for women, especially in women with infertility, childlessness, and history of abortion.