Psychological studies of in vitro fertilization/embryo transfer participants.
During the last decade, reproductive endocrinology has provided new technologies for treatment of infertility--one of which is in vitro fertilization/embryo transfer (IVF/ET). The use of this technology has been accompanied by considerable interest in understanding the psychology of those seeking IVF/ET and in understanding psychological reactions during and after IVF/ET. This paper reviews the psychological research within the IVF/ET literature as divided into three major areas: first, psychological profiles of women and their partners requesting IVF/ET; second, clinical reports which describe the psychological experience of IVF/ET and provide recommendations for counseling both before and during IVF/ET; and third, follow-up studies of IVF/ET participants. This paper is designed to highlight initial findings in these three areas of research and thus provide a context for future research directions. Specific suggestions for future study include redirecting research effort from investigations of psychopathology to detecting stress which may affect IVF/ET outcome.
Mazure
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CM
Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06504.
Greenfeld
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DA
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D003376:Counseling; D003710:Demography; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D038622:Internationality; D008297:Male; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological