Psychological correlates of differential infertility diagnosis in an in vitro fertilization program

We describe a study designed to assess the role of infertility diagnosis in differentiating participants in an in vitro fertilization program on psychological variables. Three hundred forty-eight in vitro fertilization candidates representative of five diagnostic categories (tubal problems, endometriosis, male factor, multiple factors, and idiopathic) underwent psychological assessment before entering the in vitro fertilization program. Measures of personality functioning, depression, anxiety, social support, coping ability, and marital adjustment were obtained. Analyses revealed significant differences among diagnostic groups on several psychological measures. As well, candidates were categorized as having either organic or functional (idiopathic) infertility, and analyses revealed several differences between these two groups. Results suggest ways of providing individualized psychological support in vitro fertilization participants.