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Abstract
Objective: The goal of this study was to investigate infertility-coping patterns and pregnancy outcome among IVF participants who face stressful life events in addition to their infertility. Background: Many studies on stress and IVF-assisted pregnancy focus specifically on infertility-related stress without considering the role of other stressful events. Additionally, these studies seldom include the mediating influence of coping patterns. Methods: In a retrospective study, we reviewed the clinical records of 430 men and women who attended the sole fertility centre in Jamaica over a 10-year period. Using cross-sectional analyses, we examined exposure to past significant losses (death, intimate relationship, income) and current stressors (health, work, financial, personal relationships), as well as different coping patterns that emerged (problem-focused, emotion-focused, congruence between partner) with pregnancy outcome. Results: Univariate analyses and logistic regression revealed that participants exposed to multiple stressors were not at increased risk for a negative pregnancy outcome, but women who used problem-focused strategies to cope with their infertility were more likely to become pregnant than those who used emotion-focused strategies. Regardless of coping strategies, however, age was the only independent predictor of pregnancy outcome. Conclusions: Determinants of pregnancy outcome are identified, and the experience of general stress for IVF couples is discussed within the context of a developing country. Areas of future research are highlighted along with implications for psychosocial interventions.
Acknowledgements
The authors extend thanks to all the couples who voluntarily allowed their data to be used for research purposes.