Psychological state and coping styles across an IVF treatment cycle

Abstract

A study has been conducted of women undergoing IVF. Women (N = 37) were assessed at the start of their treatment cycle, on day 8 and following treatment outcome. Profile of Mood States, an activation-deactivation schedule, and a measure of cognitive style were administered on each testing occasion. The hassles-uplifts scale was completed at the before and after treatment and the General Health Questionnaire at the initial visit only. A comparison group (N = 10) of women not pregnant or trying to become pregnant were assessed at two points in their cycle, roughly corresponding to the day 8 and post-treatment assessments. Two of the sample became pregnant and 11 women had their treatment cancelled for a poor hormonal or follicle response before oocyte retrieval. There were no differences in psychological states according to treatment outcome, with the exception that women discontinued at midcycle scored higher on an index of grief. There were no significant effects of repeating treatment on psychological test results. On the GHQ 18 per cent manifested signs of clinical depression. Scores on the POMS and stress measures increased over time. Initial psychological state correlated with outcome. Women scoring higher on the GHQ showed greater distress. Similarly, feeling out of control and less able to cope with failure were associated with greater distress post-treatment. However, in general, psychological test scores remained low.