Does infertility cause marital benefit? An epidemiological study of 2250 women and men in fertility treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate (i) marital benefit, e.g., that infertility has strengthen the marriage and brought the partners closer together among people beginning fertility treatment and (ii) communication and coping strategies as predictors of marital benefit 12 months later.


METHODS
A prospective cohort design including 2250 people beginning fertility treatment and a 12-month follow-up. Data were based on self-administered questionnaires measuring marital benefit, communication, and coping strategies. The analyses of predictors were based on the sub-cohort (n=816) who had not achieved a delivery after fertility treatment.


RESULTS
25.9% of women and 21.1% of men reported high marital benefit. Among men medium use of active-confronting coping (e.g., letting feelings out, asking others for advice) and use of meaning-based coping were significant predictors for high marital benefit. Having the infertility as a secret, difficult marital communication, and using active-avoidance coping (e.g., avoid being with pregnant women or children, turning to work to take mind off things) were among men significant predictors for low marital benefit. No significant predictors were identified among women.


CONCLUSIONS
Fertility patients frequently experience marital benefit.


CONCLUSIONS
The study provides information about where to intervene with male fertility patients in order to increase their marital benefit after medically unsuccessful treatment.
Schmidt
Lone
L
Institute of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Panum Institute, 3 Blegdamsvej, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark. l.schmidt@pubhealth.ku.dk
Holstein
Bjørn
B
Christensen
Ulla
U
Boivin
Jacky
J
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001362:Avoidance Learning; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003142:Communication; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003718:Denmark; D004644:Emotions; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006379:Helping Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012737:Sex Factors; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires