Development of brief stress management support groups for couples undergoing in vitro fertilization treatment

Objective: To develop and assess the efficacy of couples stress management groups offered concurrently with IVF treatment. Design: Couples in IVF treatment were given the option of participating in a biweekly stress management group. Setting: The NF treatment clinic at Wilford Hall Medical Center, San Antoni o, Texas. Patient(s): One or both members of 17 couples participated in the program i n one of four group cycles. Intervention(s): A cognitive behavioral treatment model was used to help co uples process their feelings and cognitions about the impact of infertility on their life and explore their expectations about their future options fo r becoming parents. Main Outcome Measure(s): Couples were asked to anonymously evaluate the eff icacy of the group after they had completed their IVF cycle. Result(s): Participants reported that the group helped them deal with the s tress of infertility and that they valued the social bonds they formed with other group members. Conclusion(s): These data suggest that brief focused group therapy, offered while couples are undergoing IVF, is an effective way to help people deal with the stress of infertility treatment. (Fertil Steril(R) 2000,74: 87-93. (C) 2000 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine).