Development of the fertility adjustment scale.
OBJECTIVE
To develop a standardized measure of psychological adjustment to infertility.


METHODS
A cross-sectional two-group comparison study.


METHODS
Two specialized fertility clinics in large teaching hospitals.


METHODS
Fifty men and 50 women undergoing evaluation and/or treatment of fertility problems.


METHODS
The Fertility Adjustment Scale was administered with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale as a measure of concurrent validity.


METHODS
Scores on the Fertility Adjustment Scale and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.


RESULTS
Scores on the Fertility Adjustment Scale were distributed normally. Split-half and internal consistency were high. A significant correlation with measures of mood, anxiety, and distress provided evidence of concurrent validity.


CONCLUSIONS
Preliminary results suggest that this measure will be a useful tool in assessing psychological reactions to fertility problems and outcomes of treatment.
Glover
L
L
Department of Clinical Health Psychology, University College Hospitals London, United Kingdom. l.glover@ucl.ac.uk
Hunter
M
M
Richards
J M
JM
Katz
M
M
Abel
P D
PD
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires