The effect of anxiety and depression scores of couples who underwent assisted reproductive techniques on the pregnancy outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of anxiety and depression scores of couples who underwent Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART) on pregnancy outcomes.


METHODS
This study was conducted as a prospective and comparative study with 217 couples. The study data was collected by using a semi-structured questionnaire and the Turkish version of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The questionnaire, STAI and BDI were applied to couples who initiated ART treatment. Couples' state anxiety scores were re-evaluated after embryo transfer (ET).


RESULTS
A significant relationship was found between the depression score of women and pregnancy outcome (p < 0.05). It was determined that anxiety scores for both men and women were higher before the ART procedure, but their anxiety scores decreased after ET (p < 0.05). Spouses of women with a negative pregnancy outcome had higher trait and state anxiety mean scores (p > 0.05) and lower depression scores (p <0.05) than spouses of women with a positive pregnancy outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
Study results indicated that the anxiety and depression scores of couples who had achieved a positive pregnancy result were lower than for couples with a negative result. The results of this study will contribute to the health professionals especially to the nurses who spend the most time with couples in providing consulting services and supporting psychological status of couples during ART process in Turkey.
Hacettepe University, Faculty of Nursing, Ankara, Turkey.
Fusun
F
Terzioglu
Kafkas University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Nursing Department, Kars, Turkey.
Rukiye
R
Turk
Hacettepe University, Faculty of Nursing, Ankara, Turkey.
Cigdem
C
Yucel
Ministery of Health Etlik Zubeyde Hanim Research and Training Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
Serdar
S
Dilbaz
Ankara University School of Medicine, Department of Histology-Embryology, Ankara, Turkey.
Ozgur
O
Cinar
Gazi University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Toxicology Department, Ankara, Turkey.
Bensu
B
Karahalil
D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007246:Infertility / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011446:Prospective Studies; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014421:Turkey
Infertility assisted reproductive techniques; anxiety; depression; pregnancy outcome