Couples Undergoing Infertility Treatment: Implications for Counselors

Savitz-Smith, Jennifer

doi:10.1177/1066480703255389

Cited by 17 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Much research on both fertility-specific distress and general distress has focused on gender differences in levels of distress. Literature reviews (Abbey 2000, Eugster and Vingerhoets 1999, Henning et al 2002, Savitz-Smith 2003 report evidence that women experience more infertility stress than men. Edelmann and Connolly (1998) suggest that this finding may simply reflect the tendency for women generally to be more distressed than men.…”

Section: Research On the Psychology Of Infertilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

The experience of infertility: a review of recent literature

Greil¹,

Slauson-Blevins²,

McQuillan³

2010

Sociology of Health &Amp; Illness

656

500

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About 10 years ago Greil published a review and critique of the literature on the socio-psychological impact of infertility. He found at the time that most scholars treated infertility as a medical condition with psychological consequences rather than as a socially constructed reality. This article examines research published since the last review. More studies now place infertility within larger social contexts and social scientific frameworks although clinical emphases persist. Methodological problems remain but important improvements are also evident. We identify two vigorous research traditions in the social scientific study of infertility. One tradition uses primarily quantitative techniques to study clinic patients in order to improve service delivery and to assess the need for psychological counseling. The other tradition uses primarily qualitative research to capture the experiences of infertile people in a sociocultural context. We conclude that more attention is now being paid to the ways in which the experience of infertility is shaped by social context. We call for continued progress in the development of a distinctly sociological approach to infertility and for the continued integration of the two research traditions identified here.

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Section: Research On the Psychology Of Infertilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

The experience of infertility: a review of recent literature

Greil¹,

Slauson-Blevins²,

McQuillan³

2010

Sociology of Health &Amp; Illness

656

500

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…If acceptance is achieved, couples can regain a sense of identity and can begin to once again move forward with their lives (Peterson & Eifert, 2011). As part of this process, counselors may need to help facilitate couples' discussions about when to stop treatments (Savitz-Smith, 2003).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Much research on both fertility-specific distress and general distress has focused on gender differences on levels of distress. Authors of several literature reviews (Abbey, 2000;Eugster & Vingerhoets, 1999;Henning et al, 2002;Savitz-Smith, 2003) have reported evidence that women experience more infertility stress than men. However, Connolly (1998, 2000) have suggested that this finding may simply reflect the tendency for women generally to be more distressed than men.…”

Section: Gender and Psychological Distressmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding and Treating the Psychosocial Consequences of Infertility

Greil

Schmidt

Peterson

2014

Oxford Handbooks Online

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Psychological distress and infertility are linked in a complex pattern, such that distress may be a cause of infertility and reduce the probability of achieving a pregnancy at the same time that infertility may be a cause of psychological distress. Although infertile women are not more likely to be characterized by psychopathology, they are more likely to experience higher levels of distress than comparison groups. Infertile men also experience psychological distress, but women experience more infertility distress than men. Both infertility and its treatment are stressors putting a heavy psychological strain on couple relationships. Whereas there is general agreement about the need for psychological interventions to treat infertility distress, little is known about the efficacy and effectiveness of psychosocial intervention. Given the prevalence of infertility and the fact that the numbers of individuals and couples seeking infertility treatments are increasing, it is essential that mental health professionals understand the emotional challenges faced by this population.

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“…Signs that suggest the need for professional counseling for those who are infertile are summarized in Table 6.5 (American Society for Reproductive Medicine, 2004b). Savitz-Smith (2003) summarized the literature on counseling infertile couples. Types of counseling include implications, support, and therapeutic.…”

Section: Implications For Clinical Practicementioning

confidence: 99%

The Pain and the Promise of Unfilled Dreams: Infertile Couples

Callister¹

2006

Handbook of Families &Amp; Health: Interdisciplinary Perspectives

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Couples Undergoing Infertility Treatment: Implications for Counselors

Cited by 17 publications

References 21 publications

The experience of infertility: a review of recent literature

The experience of infertility: a review of recent literature

Understanding and Treating the Psychosocial Consequences of Infertility

The Pain and the Promise of Unfilled Dreams: Infertile Couples

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