Open J Psychiatry Allied Sci. 2021 Mar 31. Epub ahead of print.

A study to assess prevalence of anxiety and depression, and their association with coping in females suffering from infertility.

Gupta A, Dere SS, Ghildiyal R, Patil P.

Abstract

Background: Infertility is a major psychosocial problem having impact on emotional and marital life. Among infertile couples, females show higher levels of distress than their male partners. Aim: To assess the prevalence of anxiety and depression in female patients with infertility and to assess their association with various coping strategies used. Method: Total 85 females in reproductive age group, having primary infertility, drug-naïve, and willing to participate in the study were included after obtaining informed consent and institutional ethics committee approval. Those with pre-existing psychiatric or medical illness which can add to psychological distress were excluded from the study. The patients were assessed for anxiety, depression, and stress coping behaviour using culturally valid standardised reliable scales. Results: The prevalence of anxiety and depression was observed to be 27.1% and 55.3% respectively. Common coping styles used included ‘active coping’ (94.1%), ‘religion’ (91.8%), ‘acceptance’ (90.5%) and ‘planning’ (88.3%) whereas, ‘substance use’ and ‘humour’ were rarely used. Females with anxiety, significantly used ‘self-blame’ and among those with depression, significant association was observed with ‘positive reframing’ and ‘behavioural disengagement’. Conclusions: Anxiety and depression are common and are influenced by coping strategies used by females with infertility. Structured psychological support is essential to improve their emotional well-being and coping with infertility.

FULL TEXT | PDF