EPA-0949 - Relationship between primary infertility and attachment style in women

Abstract

Objective In this study, women with primary infertility compared with fertile women in terms of their attachment style and psychopathology. Furthermore, the relationship between psychopathology and attachment style is also investigated in women with primary infertility. Methods Forty-eight primary infertile women admitted to the infertility clinic for in vitro fertilization (IVF) or Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) treatment were consecutively enrolled. Diagnosis of primary infertility in women was determined by Gynecologists and it is defined as undetermined cause of infertility in men and women despite necessary laboratory investigations. The control group consisted of 48 women with at least one living child, who had become pregnant through natural methods and having no previous psychiatric admission. Control group is matched with primary infertile women in terms of their age and level of education. Socio-demographic characteristics and clinical features of the study group and the control group were determined. Symptom Checklist 90R (SCL-90-R), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Adult Attachment Style Questionnaire (AAS) were given to the both groups. These scales' scores were compared between infertile and fertile groups. Results No significant difference was found between primary infertile and fertile women in terms of secure, avoidant, anxious-ambivalent attachment scores. Secure attachment scores in both groups were higher than other forms of attachment. Insecure attachment scores were associated with the increasing level of psychopathology in primary infertile women. Conclusion We suggest that management of insecure attachment should positively affect the chances of pregnancy in primary infertile women.