Psychological characteristics and marital quality of infertile women registered for in vitro fertilization-intracytoplasmic sperm injection in China.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the psychological health status and marital quality of Chinese women who were referred for IVF-intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), to compare the results with a control group, and to test the impact of clinical and sociodemographic determinants on psychological health status and marital quality in this cohort.


METHODS
A descriptive study of psychological health status and marital relationships, comparing infertile women who are registered for IVF or IVF-ICSI with fertile controls.


METHODS
An assisted reproductive center of a science and technology institute of family planning.


METHODS
Two groups of infertile women (100 registered for IVF, and 100 registered for ICSI), and a control group of 100 women attending a gynecology clinic, who have no known history of infertility.


METHODS
Psychometric tests were administered at the first visit of the treatment cycle.


METHODS
Psychological status measured by the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90), and marital quality measured by the ENRICH (Evaluating & Nurturing Relationship Issues, Communication & Happiness) marital inventory.


RESULTS
Infertile Chinese women planning to undergo IVF-ICSI scored significantly higher on all subscales of the SCL-90 than did controls. In addition, women in the IVF subgroup had significantly higher scores on depression scales than those in the ICSI subgroup. The study group displayed unstable relationships compared to the control group. Age, yearly income, duration of infertility, and history of unsuccessful IVF treatment had a negative correlation with psychological health status and marital quality.


CONCLUSIONS
The stresses associated with infertility and IVF treatment had a negative impact on Chinese women's psychological health status and marital quality. These findings emphasize the need to include psychological and sociocultural considerations with any medical interventions for infertility.
Wang
Kehua
K
Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, People's Republic of China. sdwangkh@126.com <sdwangkh@126.com>
Li
Juan
J
Zhang
John X
JX
Zhang
Lihong
L
Yu
Jianchun
J
Jiang
Ping
P
D000328:Adult; D003376:Counseling; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008393:Marriage; D018401:Sample Size; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology