A prospective, cross-sectional study of the protective and risk psychological factors of successful in vitro fertilisation outcome: preliminary results in a Greek sample

Abstract

The aim of this prospective, cross-sectional study was to examine the protective and risk psychological factors associated with the successful outcome of In vitro fertilisation (IVF). Various psychological factors that may affect the IVF outcome were measured to a sample of 61 infertile women (mean age 37.2 ± 4.4), who started their first or consecutive IVF treatment cycle in an IVF Unit in Greece. Over half of the participants (50.8%) became pregnant. A binary logistic regression analysis (stepwise) was conducted on pregnancy as the outcome, with various variables as predictors. The model was statistically significant (Omnibus Chi-square = 27.324, df = 5, p < .001), explained 54.7% of the variance, and correctly classified 84.6% of the cases. Life purpose (odds ratio [OR] = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.02–1.78) and negative emotions (e.g. discontent, sorrow) (OR = 1.76, 95% CI = 1.19–2.60) were associated with increased pregnancy rates, whereas autonomy (OR = 0.57, 95% CI = 0.39–0.82), and stress (OR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.55–0.88) were associated with decreased pregnancy rates. It has been concluded that the relationship between psychological factors and successful IVF outcome is more complex than commonly believed. The identification of the risk and protective psychological factors could contribute to increased pregnancy rates and foster the implementation of tailored therapeutic interventions.Impact statementWhat is already known on this subject? High levels of infertility stress and/or depression have been associated with lower pregnancy rates. However, little is known on the impact of emotions, personality characteristics and other psychological variables on in vitro fertilisation (IVF) outcome.What the results of this study add? A combination of commonly believed ‘negative’ factors (e.g. stress) and ‘positive’ ones (e.g. well-being) may diversely affect the IVF outcome. Otherwise believed to be positive aspects of human life (i.e. autonomy) may decrease the likelihood of pregnancy, and other factors believed to be ‘negative’ (e.g. negative emotions) may increase pregnancy rates.What the implications of these findings are for clinical practice and/or further research? The findings invite researchers to further examine the role of the psychological factors which could potentially affect pregnancy rates. Modifiable factors, such as well-being, stress and emotions, should guide tailored interventions aimed at increasing the pregnancy rates in infertile women.