Psychological group support attenuates distress of waiting in couples scheduled for assisted reproduction

Abstract

The aim of the study is to determine whether a cognitive-behavioral group treatment could lead to a decrease of psychological distress in couples waiting for assisted reproduction. Fifty consecutive couples included in the waiting list for IVF-ET or ICSI were randomly allocated either to receive Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment (CBT Group) or just waiting (Observation Group). The group is formed by 8-10 couples; 12 meetings are provided for a period of 4 months. Two psychometric test have been administered (Symptom Rating Test and Westbrook Coping Scales) at baseline and after 4 months. At baseline, females showed a higher level of SRT than males (F= 16.6+/-14.1; M = 10.2+/-9.0; p=0.01). This became evident for anxiety (F= 5.6+/-4.9; M =3.3+/-3.0, p = 0.004), somatization (F= 3.0+/-2.5; M = 1.8+/-2.1, p = 0.01) and feelings of inadequacy (F = 3.9+/-3.7; M = 2.3+/-2.7, p = 0.01). After 4 months in the males of Observation Group (from 2.3+/-2.0 to 4.0+/-2.8, p=0.01) there was an increase of the level of anxiety. No other meaningful differences in other variables were found. In females of CBT Group a trend towards a significant decrease in the total value of psychological uneasiness (the SRT) (from 17.7+/-13.7 to 14.1+/-14.0, p = 0.07) was found. A long wait before the scheduled intervention of assisted reproduction increased anxiety levels, namely in male partners. CBT avoids such a 'waiting stress' and could be useful for stimulating discussion and awareness inside the couple. Shortening the waiting list and psychological support would be provided by infertility centres

The Effect of the Collaborative Infertility Counseling Model on Coping Strategies in Infertile Women Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization: a Randomized Controlled Trial

“…However, a significant decrease in the use of escape/avoidance coping strategies was reported in the intervention group. On the contrary, in the studies conducted by Van Zyle et al and Tarabusi et al, no statistically significant differences were reported in terms of the escape from stressors or avoidance coping strategy (25,27). In the present study, the women used the escape/avoidance coping strategy less frequently due to participation in the counseling sessions, involvement in the treatment process and familiarity with the coping strategies.…”

“…Similarly, Karlsen et al and Tarabusi et al reported that the intervention and control groups had no differences in the planning and active coping subscales (26,27). However, Fife et al reported a significant increase in the use of active coping in the intervention group.…”

The Partnership and Coping Enhancement Programme for couples undergoing in vitro fertilization treatment: the development of a complex intervention in China

“…A variety of psychosocial interventions, such as cognitive behavioural therapy [9][10][11], mind body intervention [12][13][14], counselling [15][16][17][18] and positive reappraisal coping therapy [19,20], have been adopted to improve the mental health, pregnancy rates and marital function of couples who undergo IVF treatment. However, in a review of the literature, the effects of relevant interventions tested in randomized controlled trial studies could not be confirmed due to methodological or practical issues [21].…”

Effects of a psychological intervention on depression in infertile couples

“…Although Bringhenti et al [29] and Lovely et al [30] found no association between stress and infertility, many studies have shown that women undergo more stress during in-vitro fertilization procedures than men, whose self-esteem is higher owing to less psycho-cognitive damage [17,[24][25][26][27][28]. Moreover, some studies have reported that stress could decrease through psycho-cognitive and behavioral-cognitive treatment, especially during in-vitro fertilization cycles [31][32][33][34]. It seems that the findings of the present study are in agreement with prior research, but they do not confirm the results of the studies by Bringhenti et al [29] or Lovely et al [30].…”