Source-specific effects of negative social interactions on depressive symptoms among Japanese women with fertility problems

Abstract

It has previously been demonstrated that infertile women's negative social interactions (NSI) with members of their social network affect their psychological health. However, few studies have assessed the effects of NSI from different sources on infertile women's mental health. Therefore, this study aimed to examine relations between infertile Japanese women's depressive symptoms and NSI from different relationship sources (husband, parents, husband's parents, and friends and others). A cross-sectional questionnaire survey. A survey was conducted on Japanese women undergoing medical treatment for fertility problems in a clinic in the Kanto area. The questionnaire included four NSI scales (husband-NSI, parents-NSI, husband's parents-NSI, friends and others-NSI) developed for this study, the CES-D scale and other control variables. Questionnaires were distributed to 300 patients and 206 responses were received (response rate: 68.7%). The mean ( ± SD) CES-D score was 13.19 ± 9.56 and 31.5% of patients exceeded the cut-off point for depression. Frequencies of experiences of NSIs were not high. Each NSI scale showed a significant positive correlation with the CES-D. Multiple regression analyses indicated that friends and others-NSI, husband-NSI and husband's parents-NSI had significant positive correlations with CES-D (β = 0.21, P=0.003; β = 0.16, P=0.018; β = 0.14, P=0.043, respectively). The correlation with parents-NSI was not significant (β = 0.12 P=0.085). These findings indicate that NSI from the husband, husband's parents, and friends and others could be stressors for infertile women. In order to form a supportive social environment for women with fertility problems, it is necessary to reduce NSI from members of their social networks. Therefore, future research should investigate the thoughts of family members and friends toward infertile women.