Evaluations of Emotional Reactions and Coping Behaviors as Well as Correlated Factors for Infertile Couples Receiving Assisted Reproductive Technologies

The purpose of this research was to explore the following objectives for infertile couples receiving infertility treatment: Differences between wives and husbands in their emotional reactions and coping behaviors. This research, using structured questionnaires, was based on 120 infertile couples attending the Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) or the In Vitro Fertilization-Embryo Transfer (IVF-ET) program. The research instruments consisted of Demographic Data Form, Profile of Mood States (POMS), and Ways of Coping Questionnaire. The research results showed that infertile wives experienced more emotional disturbance than husbands did, as shown in the four subscales of Tension-Anxiety, Depression-Dejection, Anger-Hostility, and Fatigue-Inertia, as well as the total scale of POMS. It was also shown that wives adopted more coping behaviors to deal with infertility and treatment than husbands did, as revealed in the subscales of Self-Controlling, Seeking Social Support and Escape-Avoidance and the total scale of the Ways of Coping Questionnaire. All of the above reached significant statistical differences. The emotional reactions of infertile couples varied with the differences in education levels, duration of treatment, number of treatments received, and numbers of existing children. The emotional reactions of infertile husbands had a significantly positive correlation with the factors Confronting, Accepting Responsibility, and Escape-Avoidance. The emotional reactions of wives had a significantly negative correlation with Positive Reappraisal. The research results can provide clinical staff with a correct understanding of the differences between husbands and wives in emotional reactions and coping behavior, as well as related factors, to help them to provide better medical treatment.