O-22: The Association of Self Efficacy with Health Locus of Control and Psychological Distress in Infertile Women

Background: Infertility as an important life stressor causes increased distress. The way of dealing with stress in individuals is different depending on the health locus of control. Also self- efficacy as an essential indicator of mental health determines how people cope with infertility. This study aimed to investigate the association of self efficacy with health locus of control and psychological distress in infertile women in 2012 in Mashhad, Iran. Materials and Methods: This descriptive-correlational study was carried out on 205 infertile women who were selected using convenience sampling from Montaserieh Infertility Research Center in Mashhad. Infertile women’s self-efficacy, psychological distress and also health locus of control were measured using valid and reliable self-structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed using statistical tests including Pearson and Spearman's correlation coefficient. Results: There was a significant direct relationship between self-efficacy and two external health locus of control subscales including the role of physicians and other people (p=0.000). But an inverse relationship was seen between self-efficacy and chance subscale of external health locus of control(p=0.005). There was no relationship between self- efficacy and internal locus of control. A significant direct relationship was observed between psychological distress and two external health locus of control subscales including chance and the role of other people (p=0.000), but there was no relationship between psychological distress and the role of physicians and internal locus of control. There was a significant direct relationship between self-efficacy and psychological distress (p=0.000). Conclusion: Considering that increased self-efficacy is associated with less psychological distress and selfefficacy itself is affected by external health locus of control, it is recommended to enhance self efficacy and also manage the level of external health locus of control using counseling programs in fertility clinics.