What Are the Correlates of Infertility-Related Clinical Anxiety? A Literature Review and the Presentation of a Conceptual Model

Abstract

Infertility is a major stressor for many couples. Although several reviews addressing psychological distress and depression within infertile couples exist, less emphasis has been placed on infertility-related anxiety. Yet it is important to know whether clinical anxiety is a prevalent problem among infertile couples and what are the characteristics of those suffering from clinical anxiety. The present article summarizes the literature on infertility-related anxiety published between 1997 and 2008 and presents a model of infertility-related clinical anxiety that identifies variables that may distinguish individuals who present with clinical anxiety from those who successfully cope with infertility. This model is intended to inform both research and clinical practice with partners of infertile couples. Methodological shortcomings of infertility research and recommendations for future studies are also discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• clinical anxiety
• infertility
• literature review
• psychological distress

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

This article was written with assistance from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

Notes

^a Only medical and psychosocial variables that were linked to anxiety were included in this table. Articles may include other variables not listed in this table.

GIFT, gamete intrafallopian transfer; ICSI, Intracytoplasmic sperm injection; IVF, in vitro fertilization.