PSYCHOSOCIAL ADJUSTMENT TO INFERTILITY AND ITS TREATMENT - MALE AND FEMALE RESPONSES AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF IVF ET TREATMENT

Gender differences in psychosocial adjustment to infertility and its t reatment were evaluated amongst a cross-sectional sample of 330 couple s, of whom 113 were first time participants and 217 were repeat cycle couples. Whilst 30% of both husbands and wives experienced clinically elevated anxiety regardless of stage of treatment; repeat cycle women (25%) faced the further risk of developing clinically severe depressiv e symptoms. Significant differences in the amount of care and control received from their spouse and in the degree they suppressed their emo tions were reported amongst repeat cycle couples. Any clinical implica tions of differences in male-female caring styles are discussed within the IVF context. Our results suggest that interventions intended not only to reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms, but also to facilitate ongoing psychosocial functioning, should be implemented for couples a t different stages of IVF/ET treatment.