Effect Of Temperament Characteristics On Depression-Anxiety Level And Quality Of Life In Infertile Women

Abstract

Objective: It is known that the risk of anxiety disorders and depression in infertile women increases and their quality of life deteriorates. Temperamental characteristics are considered as predictors of mood disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate temperamental characteristics in infertile women and their effects on depression and anxiety levels, and the quality of life, and to reveal the differences and level of relationship compared to healthy women. Method: Fourty-four female patients with primary infertility and 30 healthy female controls were included in this study. Temperamental characteristics of the participants were assessed with Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego-Autoquestionnaire version (TEMPS-A). Depression and anxiety severity were evaluated with Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). To evaluate the quality of life, Short Form 36 (SF-36) health survey questionnaire was also applied. Results: Hyperthymic temperament scores were higher in infertile women than the control group (p=0.001). BDI scores were positively correlated with depressive and cyclothymic temperament scores, and BAI scores were positively correlated with depressive and anxious temperament scores. A negative correlation was found between hyperthymic temperament and BAI and BDI scores. Hyperthymic temperament scores were positively correlated with both physical and mental subdimension scores of the quality of life scale. Conclusion: In this study, hyperthymic temperament in infertile women was shown to be protective against anxiety and depression and it also improves the quality of life. Additional studies are needed to clarify the relationship between hyperthymic temperament and ovarian hormones or other biological parameters.

Affective temperaments show stronger impact on infertility treatment success compared to somatic factors, highlighting the role of personality focused interventions

“…Thus, they may also in uence the degree of depression and anxiety and other manifestations of emotional dysregulations caused by infertility-related stressors [7]. In support of this, the sole study so far examining the direct relationship between infertility and affective temperaments found that hyperthymic temperament is protective against anxiety and depression in infertile women [59]. Likewise, no studies have examined the relationship between infertility treatment outcomes and affective temperaments so far.…”

Affective temperaments show stronger association with infertility treatment success compared to somatic factors, highlighting the role of personality focused interventions

“…Despite this, very few studies have so far investigated the relationship between temperament and infertility or the success of infertility treatments. The sole study so far examining the direct relationship between infertility and affective temperaments found that hyperthymic temperament is protective against anxiety and depression in infertile women 66 . Likewise, no studies have examined the relationship between infertility treatment outcomes and affective temperaments so far.…”

Affective Temperament and Glycemic Control – The Psychological Aspect of Obesity and Diabetes Mellitus

“… 29–31 The evaluation of affective temperament seems to determine which of the infertile women are more prone to the development of depression and anxiety. 32 Moreover, recent research in a group of gestational diabetes patients showed promising data regarding the association between affective temperament and the development of gestational diabetes, as well as disturbances in glycemic metabolism in this group of patients. 33 Hence, TEMPS-A might be of great utility in determining patients with greater susceptibility of pregnancy complications.…”