“We're in this together”: Attachment insecurities, dyadic coping strategies, and relationship satisfaction in couples involved in medically assisted reproduction

Abstract

Attachment is an important predictor of relationship satisfaction and attachment insecurities are a risk factor for couples under stress. Drawing from the Vulnerability–Stress–Adaptation model, we investigated whether dyadic coping strategies (DCS) would explain the links between attachment insecurities and relationship satisfaction in 97 couples involved in medically assisted reproduction (MAR). Path analyses revealed that for women and men, attachment insecurities (anxiety, avoidance) were associated with their own lower relationship satisfaction through their lower use of positive DCS. Attachment avoidance was also associated with participants' own lower relationship satisfaction through their own lower use of negative DCS. Men's attachment avoidance was also related to their partner's lower relationship satisfaction via their own and their partner's lower use of positive DCS. The findings suggest that promoting the use of positive DCS may be important to preserve relationship satisfaction in couples involved in MAR.

Relationship Between Dyadic Coping with Anxiety and Depression in Infertile Couples: Gender Differences and Dyadic Interaction

“… 42 On the other hand, husbands tend to employ more avoidance behaviors. 43 Stressful communication is considered a crucial first step in positive dyadic response, allowing couples to openly discuss and address physical and psychological stress factors such as anxiety, despair, and fatigue. These conversations facilitate mutual adjustment and joint responses.…”

Deafening Silence of Male Infertility

“…26 When working in the context of complex medical issues such as infertility, it is necessary to assume a relational perspective that accounts for the interdependence between partners. [31][32][33][34][35][36] Uncertainty, treatment-decision making, demands of care, and the financial burden associated with ongoing fertility treatments can have a pervasive effect on couple relationship, sexual function, and emotional distress. 31,32,34,35,[37][38][39][40] Some couples will find ways to communicate, engage with each other, problem-solve; but others may experience communication difficulties, lower relationship satisfaction and support, reduced perceived intimacy, estrangement, or even relationship dissolution.…”

“…[31][32][33][34][35][36] Uncertainty, treatment-decision making, demands of care, and the financial burden associated with ongoing fertility treatments can have a pervasive effect on couple relationship, sexual function, and emotional distress. 31,32,34,35,[37][38][39][40] Some couples will find ways to communicate, engage with each other, problem-solve; but others may experience communication difficulties, lower relationship satisfaction and support, reduced perceived intimacy, estrangement, or even relationship dissolution. [40][41][42] Emerging evidence on within-dyad interpersonal processes supports that coordinated coping behaviors, support from partner, and emotion regulation strategies are associated with psychological health, sexual function, and relationship functioning, 15,32,34,35,43,44 while selfblame and avoidant coping impair psychological adjustment.…”

“…31,32,34,35,[37][38][39][40] Some couples will find ways to communicate, engage with each other, problem-solve; but others may experience communication difficulties, lower relationship satisfaction and support, reduced perceived intimacy, estrangement, or even relationship dissolution. [40][41][42] Emerging evidence on within-dyad interpersonal processes supports that coordinated coping behaviors, support from partner, and emotion regulation strategies are associated with psychological health, sexual function, and relationship functioning, 15,32,34,35,43,44 while selfblame and avoidant coping impair psychological adjustment. 16 It is through these findings that we understand how infertility is not "my problem" or "your problem," it is "our problem.…”