title: A preliminary study of the psychological differences in infertile couples and their relation to the coping styles.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Studies from Western countries have observed that couples undergoing infertility treatment suffer various physical and psychological difficulties at a higher frequency than the comparable general population. These relate to treatment challenges and other psychosocial stressors, often influenced by coping style, personality factors and available support systems. There is paucity of studies in non-Western populations.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this pilot investigation was to evaluate characteristics and gender differences in perceived psychological difficulties reported by infertile Malaysian couples. In particular, depression, anxiety and stress, along with correlated coping styles, were examined between spouses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Demographic information, including age, ethnicity and duration and causes of infertility, were collected from participants treated within a fertility clinic. The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS) and Coping Inventory for Stressful Situation (CISS) were completed to measure psychological distress and coping styles.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Depression, anxiety and stress-related difficulties were reported at significantly higher frequency by wives than husbands (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in coping styles between wives and husbands. However, emotional-oriented coping style was associated with significantly higher levels of depression, anxiety and stress (p<0.05) within the overall sample with odds ratios of 2.5, 3.0 and 1.5, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study confirms that, as with Western subjects, Malaysian infertile couples demonstrate the vulnerability to psychological distress that occurs more frequently among wives than husbands. As anticipated, emotional coping style was associated with greater distress in both genders.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Kulliyyah of Medicine, International Islamic University Malaysia, Bandar Indera Mahkota, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang Malaysia. Electronic address: ramlidr@yahoo.com.
authors: Ramli
authors: R
authors: Musa
authors: Roszaman
authors: R
authors: Ramli
authors: Abdul Wahab Azantee
authors: AW
authors: Yazmie
authors: Mohd Bustaman Siti
authors: MB
authors: Khadijah
authors: Mohd Yatim
authors: MY
authors: Hayati
authors: Marhani
authors: M
authors: Midin
authors: Nik Ruzyanei
authors: NR
authors: Nik Jaafar
authors: Srijit
authors: S
authors: Das
authors: Hatta
authors: H
authors: Sidi
authors: Arun
authors: A
authors: Ravindran
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012737:Sex Factors; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology