A randomized controlled trial of the effects of nursing care based on Watson's Theory of Human Caring on distress, self‐efficacy and adjustment in infertile women

Abstract

To investigate the effects of nursing care based on the Theory of Human Caring on distress caused by infertility, perceived self-efficacy and adjustment levels. Infertility leads to individual, familial and social problems. Nursing care standards for women affected by infertility have yet to emerge. A randomized controlled trial. This study was conducted from May 2010-February 2011, with 105 Turkish women with infertility (intervention group: 52, control group: 53). We collected data using the Infertility Distress Scale, the Turkish-Infertility Self Efficacy Scale Short Form and the Turkish-Fertility Adjustment Scale. The intervention group received nursing care based on the Theory of Human Caring. Data were analysed using t-tests, chi-square tests and intention-to-treat analyses. The intervention and control groups significantly differed with regard to infertility distress, self-efficacy and adjustment levels. The intervention group's mean self-efficacy score increased by seven points and adjustment score decreased by seven points (in a positive direction). In addition, there was a significant reduction in infertility distress scores in the intervention group, but there was no change in the control group. Nursing care based on the Theory of Human Caring decreased the negative impact of infertility in women receiving infertility treatment and increased self-efficacy and adjustment.