Coping strategies and influencing factors among infertile patients: a qualitative meta-synthesis.

BACKGROUND

Infertility is associated with both physical and psychological challenges, and psychological distress is prevalent among infertility patients. To manage this, they may adopt a range of coping strategies—both adaptive and maladaptive—which can lead to varying outcomes. The choice of strategy will also be affected by many factors. Identifying the strategies and influencing factors of patients in coping with infertility and the infertility treatment process is helpful to help medical staff evaluate the coping effect of patients and give intervention.

METHODS

A qualitative systematic review was conducted to explore the coping strategies and influencing factors of infertility patients in coping with infertility and infertility treatment. Twelve electronic databases were systematically searched: China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, VIP, China Biomedical database, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, Proquest (Psychology Database), APA PsycINFO, CINAHL, Cochrane databases, and other resources. Study quality was assessed through The Joanna Briggs Institute’s Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument by two researchers independently. Data synthesis was conducted using thematic analysis. The study employed the tool named Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative Research to grade the integrated evidence.

RESULTS

There were 26 qualitative studies included and synthesized into two key themes and 11 sub-themes: (1) Coping strategies: Behavioral coping over verbal expression, blame-oriented coping strategy, developing emotional or psychological defenses, self-management, build inner mental strength, change cognition and behavior, and adopting compromising or adaptive strategies. (2) Influencing factors: individual internal resources, tolerance and rules, comprehensive support systems, and medical uncertainty.

CONCLUSION

Infertile patients will use positive and negative strategies to cope with infertility and infertility treatment. Coping strategies are dynamic and evolve over time, and influenced by a variety of personal, social, and clinical factors. Religion, notably, emerged as both a coping mechanism and an influencing factor. It is essential for healthcare professionals to assess coping strategies and their determinants in order. to provide timely and appropriate interventions.