Comparing infertility-related stress, coping, and quality of life among assisted reproductive technology and non-assisted reproductive technology treatments

Abstract

Women who undergo assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatments experience infertility-related stress and have low quality of life (QOL). However, there is limited understanding of infertility-related stress, coping, or QOL among women who undergo non-ART treatments. The purpose of this study was to examine infertility-related stress, coping, and QOL among women who undergo ART and non-ART infertility treatments. Using a descriptive correlational cross-sectional design, we recruited 200 women who underwent infertility treatments. Participants completed the Copenhagen Multi-centre Psychosocial Infertility (COMPI) Fertility Problem Stress Scale, COMPI Coping Styles Scale, Fertility Quality of Life tool, and a demographic infertility survey. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, independent t-test, chi-square, and hierarchical multiple regression. Women who underwent non-ART had more personal stress, used more active-avoidance coping, and had lower emotional, social, and treatment environment QOL compared to those in ART treatment. Women who underwent ART treatments used more meaning-based coping but had lower treatment tolerability QOL. Stress and coping contribute to core QOL differently among infertility treatment groups. Both treatment groups report low satisfaction with emotional services. Regardless of the treatment type, women who undergo infertility treatments may need care to address their psychological health.