Status quo and influencing factors of depression and anxiety in infertile women

Abstract

Objective To explore the incidence of depression and anxiety in infertile women, to discuss its influencing factors and to provide a reference for improving the psychological status in infertile women. Methods A quantitative and qualitative study design was adopted. Totally 320 infertile women who conformed to infertility norms admitted to Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University between September 2016 and February 2017 were selected for quantitative analysis and investigated with Self-Depression Scale (SDS) and Self-Anxiety Scale (SAS) . A total of 14 infertile women with depression and anxiety were selected out of these subjects for semi-structured interview as per the data saturation principle. Totally 320 questionnaires were distributed and 297 of them (92.81%) were collected in the quantitative study. Results The SDS and SAS scores of the 297 infertile women were (45.85±10.00) and (41.45±7.71) , with total depression and anxiety detection rates of 21.5% and 14.8%. 9.8% of the subjects were found with both depression and anxiety. There was statistical difference in SDS and SAS scores between infertile women with different housing conditions, marital status, in-laws relations, relationship with colleagues and neighbors, or negative life events (P<0.05) . The results of qualitative research refined three themes that affect the depression and anxiety of infertile women: personal value and emotion, pressure from family and society, and inadequate medical services. Conclusions The detection rate of depression and anxiety is high in infertile women, whose depression and anxiety levels are affected by personal values and emotions, pressure from family and society, insufficient medical service and other factors. It is advised that the infertile women's response ability, social support and medical experience be improved to effectively reduce their depression and anxiety. Key words: Depression; Anxiety; Qualitative study; Quantitative study; Infertile; Women