Abstract
PurposeThe aim of the research project was to analyze the importance of supportive social interactions in the process of infertility treatment. The acceptance rates of ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology) in Poland are lower than in western European countries and the social stigma of infertility exists. The research project draws attention to the issue of disclosure of fertility problems and the ability to seek support in Polish couples.MethodsAn experimental study was conducted with 51 heterosexual couples who qualified for IVF. The participants were randomly divided into an experimental and control group. The first stage of the research procedure, with all the couples, was to extract a saliva (cortisol) sample as a biomarker for stress. In the second stage the control group viewed an informational (non-emotional) video about human embryology. The experimental group took part in a supportive social interaction process. In the supportive social interaction process, a maximum of five couples, were led through a broad general understanding of their IVF experience by an experienced group psychologist. The third stage of the research involved the second extraction of a saliva (cortisol) sample form all participants. In addition, demographic and medical history related to fertility was collected.ResultsThe statistical analysis indicates a significant decrease in the level of stress experienced after the supportive social interaction. The reported differences between the experimental group and the control group indicated a larger decrease of cortisol level for women and men.ConclusionIn the current study, the hypothesis that taking part in supportive social interaction significantly lowers stress levels (measured via cortisol) of infertile couples (men and women) was supported. Further the project indicates that a supportive social interaction has a beneficial effect on infertile couple’s health and well-being. The results of the study clearly point to the benefits of couples involved in infertility treatment to express and share their experience, and in doing so, provides measurable physiological and psychological benefits.
Highlights
The acceptance and use of the Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) has been systematically increasing over the last 30 years irrespective of the varying attitudes toward infertility treatment throughout the world (Kovacs et al, 2012)
Stress may be related with the negative social appraisal of infertility treatment, as becoming a parent is an important part of adult social role and identity (Möller and Fällström, 1991; Malina et al, 2016)
To determine if taking part in supportive social interaction significantly lowers stress levels measured with biomarkers of infertile couples a comparison of mean decrease in cortisol level in experimental and control group was performed
Summary
The acceptance and use of the Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) has been systematically increasing over the last 30 years irrespective of the varying attitudes toward infertility treatment throughout the world (Kovacs et al, 2012). In Poland the acceptance of ART is still lower than in other Western European countries (Franklin, 2013) and the social stigma of infertility exists (Dembinska, Malina, in press). Despite the growing acceptance of IVF treatment in Poland, it is still much lower than in the developed Western European countries, where 93% of respondents support IVF being publicly funded. While the use of ART is slowly increasing in acceptance in Poland, the disclosure of the use of ART’s in general remains controversial. This may in part, explain the attitudes of general public toward IVF utilization (Dembinska and Malina, 2019). The results of some studies indicate that the very process of infertility treatment tests
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