Hum. Reprod. Advance Access originally published online on July 8, 2005
Human Reproduction 2005 20(11):3248-3256; doi:10.1093/humrep/dei193
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Communication and coping as predictors of fertility problem stress: cohort study of 816 participants who did not achieve a delivery after 12 months of fertility treatment
1 Institute of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Panum Institute, 3 Blegdamsvej, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark and 2 School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK
3 To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: L.Schmidt{at}pubhealth.ku.dk
BACKGROUND: We investigated coping strategies and communication strategies as predictors of fertility problem stress 12 months after start of fertility treatment. METHODS: We used a prospective, longitudinal cohort design including 2250 people beginning fertility treatment with a 12-month follow-up. Data were based on self-administered questionnaires measuring communication with partner and with other people, coping strategies: active-avoidance coping, active-confronting coping, passive-avoidance coping, meaning-based coping, and fertility problem stress. The study population included those participants (n = 816, men and women) who had not achieved pregnancy by assisted reproduction or delivery at follow-up. RESULTS: Among both men and women, difficulties in partner communication predicted high fertility problem stress (odds ratio for women, 3.47, 95% confidence interval 2.09–5.76; odds ratio for men, 3.69, 95% confidence interval 2.09–6.43). Active-avoidance coping (e.g. avoiding being with pregnant women or children, turning to work to take their mind off things) was a significant predictor of high fertility problem stress. Among men, high use of active-confronting coping (e.g. letting feelings out, asking other people for advice, seeking social support) predicted low fertility problem stress in the marital domain (odds ratio 0.53, 95% confidence interval 0.28–1.00). Among women, medium or high use of meaning-based coping significantly predicted low fertility problem stress in the personal and marital domain. CONCLUSION: The study provides information about where to intervene with fertility patients in order to reduce their stress after medically unsuccessful treatment.
Key words: assisted reproduction/clinical epidemiology/coping/marital communication/stress
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