Gender differences in infertility stress, coping and the ability to share feelings about infertility.

BACKGROUND: Infertility distress is a major concern for couples. The primary aim of this study was to predict ability to share feelings about infertility using the Fertility Problems Inventory (FPI) depression, anxiety and additional variables. METHODS: Randomly selected couples responded to paper-pencil instruments that measured ability to share feelings about infertility, fertility stress, coping, stress, anxiety and depression as key variables. Selected participants were adults diagnosed with infertility undergoing assisted reproductive treatment for at least 6 months in Hungary. Multiple linear regression analysis was applied to predict fertility related stress scores separately for female and male participants. RESULTS: A total of 94 couples participated. Employing Wilcoxon tests, a significant difference was identified in the use of emotional coping (females using more emotional coping compared to males) (z = -4.18, p < 0.001). No significant difference was found in the utilization of problem-solving coping. With regard to the ability to share feelings about infertility, no significant difference was identified in favor of either gender. With regard to the impact of treatment on everyday life, female respondents indicated a significantly greater effect (z = -2.67, p = 0.008). One-point increase in anxiety scores increased fertility distress by 0.83 and 1.25 points for women and men, respectively. One-year increase since infertility diagnosis was linked to a 1.61-point increase in fertility distress for males. For women, for every one-point increase in the perception of their inability to discuss personal issues with someone else, there was a five-fold increase in infertility-related distress. CONCLUSIONS: Stress, anxiety, and depression were linked to problem-solving in women, but were associated with emotional coping in men. Regression analysis showed a difference between women and men in predicting stress related to infertility. In women, the inability to talk about their feelings related to infertility was significantly negatively associated with fertility stress. However, in men, feelings related to infertility were not predictors of infertility stress. This result requires further research to clarify the reason for the difference.