A Guide for the Psychosocial Treatment of Infertility

<p>Infertility is a growing area of the medical field and a common problem experienced by couples and individuals during their lifetime. Stress is known to decrease fertility in men and women, and may also impact fertility treatment outcomes. Psychological burden is associated with treatment discontinuation, due to the physical and emotional stress associated with the personal, social, and medical aspects of infertility. A review of the research literature was conducted to examine the impact of infertility on social and psychological domains, as well as identify the relationship between stress, distress, and infertility, to inform how mental health services may improve adjustment to infertility. This review revealed an initial appreciation for the association between stress, distress, and infertility, as well as an identification of mental health needs in this population; however, the heterogeneity of current empirical studies means additional research is necessary to better understand the complexity of this life experience. Based on a synthesis of these studies, a brief guide was created to inform mental health professionals working with individuals and couples experiencing infertility about important treatment considerations, methods of assessment, and recommended psychosocial interventions.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctoral Project

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Year

2014

Author dc:creator

• Esselstrom, Linnea

Contributors dc:contributor

• Arechiga, Adam L.

• Clinical Psychology
• Psychology
• Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Infertility - Therapy; Infertility - Psychology; Reproductive Techniques - Assisted; Sexual Dysfunction - Physiological; Treatment Outcome; Practice Guidelines
• Stress; Treatment Discontinuation; Psychological Burden; Mental Health Services; Psychosocial Interventions

Statement dc:rights

• This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/304

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarsrepository.llu.edu:etd-1303