Evaluation on Hope and Psychological Symptoms in Infertile Couples Undergoing Assisted Reproduction Treatment

Objective To evaluate the hope, depression, anxiety and stress among three groups of infertile couples. MaterialsAndMethods In a cross-sectional study, the study sample consisted of three groups of infertile couples, candidate for oocyte donation (n=60), embryo donation (n=60), and normal infertile (n=60), aged at least 18 years and could read and write in Persian were enrolled at the Royan institute, Tehran, Iran, between 2013 and 2014. Participants provided demographic and general characteristics and completed the Persian version of the Adult Trait Hope Scale (hope, agency and pathway) and Depression Anxiety Stress (DASS). Data was analyzed by paired t test, ANOVA, ANCOVA and Pearson correlation tests using SPSS statistical software. Results Overall, 180 infertile couples participated in the three groups .The mean score of hope was significantly higher in husbands than wives in normal infertile group. (P=0.046). In the normal infertile group, the mean score of pathway was significantly higher in husbands (P=0.032). The frequency of anxiety was significantly different in female subjects (P=0.028). In the normal infertile group, the distribution of anxiety was significantly different between wives and husband (P=0.006). The frequency of stress was significantly different in male subjects (P=0.048). In the embryo donation group, stress was significantly different between wives and husband (P=0.002). In the normal infertile group, stress was significantly different between wives and husband (P=0.05). Conclusion The results suggest that hope may be important in reducing psychological symptoms and psychological adjustment in those who expose the infertility problems, and they follow medical recommendations better through behavioral patterns, which accelerate recovery . It is suggested to hold psychological counseling sessions (hope therapy) during reproduction cycles.