A comparison of psychological functioning in women at different stages of in vitro fertilization treatment using the mean affect adjective check list.

PURPOSE: The objectives were to identify the stage/s of IVF treatment where a woman is most vulnerable to psychological stress, and to assess the Mean Affect Adjective Check List (MAACL) as a measure of psychological functioning during IVF treatment, which has hitherto not been reported.

METHODS

Thirty-seven women undergoing IVF treatment according to the long protocol of controlled ovarian stimulation completed the MAACL questionnaire at the following stages: (a) before treatment (visit 1), (b) before embryo transfer (visit 2), and (c) before pregnancy test (visit 3).

RESULTS

Apart from anxiety scores for visit 2, the hostility, depression, and state anxiety scores for visit 3 were higher than the corresponding scores for visits 1 and 2 (P < 0.001). Anxiety scores for visits 2 and 3 were similar.

CONCLUSIONS

Psychological counseling should be targeted at women after embryo transfer and leading up to the pregnancy test. The MAACL is a useful method for measuring psychological stress in women during IVF treatment.