The present study was conducted to assess the immediate psychological impact of failed in vitro fertilization (IVF). Emotional status and marital functioning were also examined pre-IVF, and both demographic information and psychological test scores were evaluated as predictors of reaction to treatment failure. After a failed first cycle, both males and females showed significant increases in anxiety and depressive symptoms. Although group means were not clinically elevated and most participants were coping adequately, the prevalence of both mild and moderate depression increased substantially, particularly among women. In addition, women without children were a subgroup particularly vulnerable to the stress of failure. Predisposition towards anxiety, pre-IVF depressive symptoms, and fertility history were the most important predictors of emotional response. Treatment implications of these findings were discussed.
PMID 2226921 2226921 DOI 10.1016/s0015-0282(16)53950-8 10.1016/s0015-0282(16)53950-8 Newton et al. 1990, Newton 1990
Cite this article
Newton, C. R., Hearn, M. T., & Yuzpe, A. A. (1990). Psychological assessment and follow-up after in vitro fertilization: assessing the impact of failure. Fertility and Sterility. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0015-0282(16)53950-8
Newton CR, Hearn MT, Yuzpe AA. Psychological assessment and follow-up after in vitro fertilization: assessing the impact of failure. Fertility and Sterility. 1990. doi:10.1016/s0015-0282(16)53950-8
Newton, C. R., et al. "Psychological assessment and follow-up after in vitro fertilization: assessing the impact of failure." Fertility and Sterility, 1990.
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