Abstract
It has been hypothesized that unexplained infertility may be related to specific personality and coping styles. We studied
two groups of women with explained infertility (EIF, n = 63) and unexplained infertility (UIF, n = 42) undergoing an in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle. Women completed personality and coping style questionnaires prior
to the onset of the cycle, and state depression and anxiety scales before and at two additional time points during the cycle.
Almost no in-between group differences were found at any of the measured time points in regards to the Minnesota Multiphasic
Personality Inventory-2 validity and clinical scales, Illness Cognitions and Life Orientation Test, or for the situational
measures. The few differences found suggest a more adaptive, better coping, and functioning defensive system in women with
EIF. In conclusion, we did not find any clinically significant personality differences or differences in depression or anxiety
levels between women with EIF and UIF during an IVF cycle. Minor differences found are probably a reaction to the ambiguous
medical situation with its uncertain prognosis, amplifying certain traits which are not specific to one psychological structure
but rather to the common experience shared by the group. The results of this study do not support the possibility that personality
traits are involved in the pathophysiology of unexplained infertility.
two groups of women with explained infertility (EIF, n = 63) and unexplained infertility (UIF, n = 42) undergoing an in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle. Women completed personality and coping style questionnaires prior
to the onset of the cycle, and state depression and anxiety scales before and at two additional time points during the cycle.
Almost no in-between group differences were found at any of the measured time points in regards to the Minnesota Multiphasic
Personality Inventory-2 validity and clinical scales, Illness Cognitions and Life Orientation Test, or for the situational
measures. The few differences found suggest a more adaptive, better coping, and functioning defensive system in women with
EIF. In conclusion, we did not find any clinically significant personality differences or differences in depression or anxiety
levels between women with EIF and UIF during an IVF cycle. Minor differences found are probably a reaction to the ambiguous
medical situation with its uncertain prognosis, amplifying certain traits which are not specific to one psychological structure
but rather to the common experience shared by the group. The results of this study do not support the possibility that personality
traits are involved in the pathophysiology of unexplained infertility.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Article
- Pages 1-9
- DOI 10.1007/s00737-012-0299-6
- Authors
- Gabi Aisenberg Romano, Department of Psychiatry, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, 6 Weizman Str, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Hila Ravid, Department of Psychiatry, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, 6 Weizman Str, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Inbar Zaig, Department of Psychiatry, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, 6 Weizman Str, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Shaul Schreiber, Department of Psychiatry, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, 6 Weizman Str, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Foad Azem, IVF Unit, Lis Women’s Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Izhak Shachar, Department of Psychiatry, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, 6 Weizman Str, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Miki Bloch, Department of Psychiatry, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, 6 Weizman Str, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Journal Archives of Women’s Mental Health
- Online ISSN 1435-1102
- Print ISSN 1434-1816