Examining Congruence Between Partners' Perceived Infertility‐Related Stress and Its Relationship to Marital Adjustment and Depression in Infertile Couples

Abstract

Because studies examining the emotional impact of infertility-related stress generally focus on individuals, there has been little research examining how relationship and individual variables are linked. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of congruence (e.g., agreement) between partner's perceived infertility-related stress and its effects on depression and marital adjustment in infertile men and women. Couples referred for infertility treatments at a University-affiliated teaching hospital completed the Fertility Problem Inventory (FPI), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS) 3 months prior to their first treatment cycle. Study findings show that men and women in couples who perceived equal levels of social infertility stress reported higher levels of marital adjustment when compared to men and women in couples who perceived the stress differently. In addition, women in couples who felt a similar need for parenthood reported significantly higher levels of marital satisfaction when compared to women in couples where the males reported a greater need for parenthood. While couple incongruence was unrelated to depression in males, incongruence over relationship concerns and the need for parenthood was related to female depression. These findings provide initial support for the theory that high levels of agreement between partners related to the stresses they experience help them successfully manage the impact of these stressful life events. Possibilities for future research examining the construct of couple congruence are discussed.

Effect of behavioral-communication couple therapy in dimensions of marital adjustment in infertile couples

“…Marital adjustment is the situation in which the couples often have feeling of happiness and satisfaction. It is the process that occurs during the life of the couples, and demands compliance tastes, personality traits, establishing rules of behavior, and the formation of interactional patterns [9]. It is a multidimensional term that clarifies multiple levels of marital adjustment such as consistency, happiness, solidarity, and commitment [10].…”

Comparison of three infertility-specific measures in men and women going through assisted reproductive technology treatment

“…Research using these measures has provided significant contributions to the literature concerning gender differences (Chachamovich et al, 2009;Peterson et al, 2003;Peterson, CR Newton, et al, 2006;Schmidt et al, 2003;Slade et al, 2007), the predicting roles of coping strategies and social support (Keramat et al, 2014;Martins et al, 2011Martins et al, , 2013Peterson, C Newton, et al, 2006; and the effect infertility-stress on marital satisfaction (Gana and Jakubowska, 2016).…”

The Pain and the Promise of Unfilled Dreams: Infertile Couples

“…This is supported by the work of Hsu and Kuo (2002). High levels of agreement between spouses help couples successfully manage the impact of infertility (Hidalgo, Caleffi, Baron, Mattana, & Chaves, 2004;Peterson, Newton, & Rosen, 2003).…”

“…Couples who reported similar needs for parenthood also had significantly higher levels of marital satisfaction. Incongruence in stress and the need to become a parent was significantly associated with depression in women but not men (Peterson et al, 2003). Incongruence has also been identified in the desire for twin gestations in individuals who are a part of an infertile couple (Kalra, Milad, Klock, & Grobman, 2003).…”