CORRELATES OF PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS IN RELATION TO MALE-INFERTILITY

Objectives. To investigate, within a stress and coping framework, the existence, extent and predictors of psychological distress in a sample of men with a diagnosis of sole male factor infertility. Design. A cr oss-sectional design was used to investigate correlates of distress. M ethod. Questionnaires were sent to 130 men with a diagnosis of sole ma le factor infertility who were attending a specialist infertility clin ic for primary infertility. Fifty one men responded, giving a 39 per c ent response rate. In addition to completing the Beck Depression Inven tory, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Perceived Stress Scale, Ways of C oping Questionnaire and a measure of infertility-related distress, par ticipants also provided data concerning their age, their partner's age , and the duration and severity of infertility. Results. There was evi dence for elevated depression and state anxiety in some infertile male s. Three significant predictors of depression were identified: an anxi ous disposition, a tendency to appraise situations as stressful and an avoidant coping style. In relation ro state anxiety two predictors we re identified: trait anxiety and failure co seek social support. Concl usions. Male infertility is perceived as stressful and can be associat ed with a greater risk of psychopathology in some cases, particularly for those men with an enduringly anxious disposition, an inability to seek social support and those who engage in avoidance coping strategie s. Identification of factors predictive of distress will enable profes sionals to effectively direct psychological interventions to vulnerabl e individuals.