Psychological characteristics and marital quality of infertile women registered for in vitro fertilization-intracytoplasmic sperm injection in China

Kehua Wang*, Juan Li, John X. Zhang, Lihong Zhang, Jianchun Yu, Ping Jiang

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

85 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To assess the psychological health status and marital quality of Chinese women who were referred for IVF-intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), to compare the results with a control group, and to test the impact of clinical and sociodemographic determinants on psychological health status and marital quality in this cohort. Design: A descriptive study of psychological health status and marital relationships, comparing infertile women who are registered for IVF or IVF-ICSI with fertile controls. Setting: An assisted reproductive center of a science and technology institute of family planning. Patient(s): Two groups of infertile women (100 registered for IVF, and 100 registered for ICSI), and a control group of 100 women attending a gynecology clinic, who have no known history of infertility. Intervention: Psychometric tests were administered at the first visit of the treatment cycle. Main Outcome Measure(s): Psychological status measured by the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90), and marital quality measured by the ENRICH (Evaluating & Nurturing Relationship Issues, Communication & Happiness) marital inventory. Result(s): Infertile Chinese women planning to undergo IVF-ICSI scored significantly higher on all subscales of the SCL-90 than did controls. In addition, women in the IVF subgroup had significantly higher scores on depression scales than those in the ICSI subgroup. The study group displayed unstable relationships compared to the control group. Age, yearly income, duration of infertility, and history of unsuccessful IVF treatment had a negative correlation with psychological health status and marital quality. Conclusion(s): The stresses associated with infertility and IVF treatment had a negative impact on Chinese women's psychological health status and marital quality. These findings emphasize the need to include psychological and sociocultural considerations with any medical interventions for infertility.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)792-798
Number of pages7
JournalFertility and Sterility
Volume87
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2007
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Chinese women
  • IVF-ICSI
  • marital relationship
  • psychological health

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Reproductive Medicine

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