Distress and conception in infertile women: a complementary approach.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationship of pretreatment psychological distress and demographics to conception in infertile women attending a group cognitive-behavioral treatment program.


METHODS
Pre- and postprogram psychological measures and live birth rates were collected for 132 infertile women attending a ten-session group cognitive-behavioral treatment program. Subjects completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Symptom Checklist-90 (Revised) (SCL-90R). Conceptions that resulted in live births within six months of completing the program were noted.


RESULTS
Women who conceived viable pregnancies within six months of the program had higher levels of psychological distress at program entry. Using logistic regression analysis, the best predictors of viable birth were younger age and a higher score on the global severity index of the SCL-90R. Significant pre- to postprogram psychological improvement was demonstrated by the SCL-90R and the BDI. Forty-two percent of the sample conceived viable pregnancies within six months of completing the program.


CONCLUSIONS
Preprogram psychological distress and younger age were associated with significantly higher viable pregnancy rates.
Domar
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AD
Mind/Body Medical Institute, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA.
Friedman
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R
Zuttermeister
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PC
D000328:Adult; D001524:Behavioral Medicine; D003863:Depression / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome