Predictive Role of Representations on Interpersonal Life Satisfaction During In Vitro Fertilization Cycles

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Reproductive Medicine
• Social Sciences

Background:

• Infertility and its treatments, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), significantly impact couples' psychological well-being.
• Previous research primarily focused on individual (intrapersonal) adjustment to infertility.
• The Common-Sense Model provides a framework for understanding illness representations and their impact on adaptation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the interpersonal role of illness representations on emotional adaptation in infertile couples.
• To examine how one partner's perceptions predict the other partner's psychological adjustment during IVF.
• To extend research on infertility adjustment to the dyadic (interpersonal) level.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study of 90 infertile couples undergoing IVF.
• Participants completed the Satisfaction with Life Scale and the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R).
• Statistical analyses included Spearman Rho correlations and multiple linear regression models.

Main Results:

• Significant correlations were found between partners' illness representations and their respective life satisfaction.
• Women's perceptions of the infertility timeline predicted men's life satisfaction.
• Men's perceptions of treatment control predicted women's life satisfaction.

Conclusions:

• One partner's illness representations significantly predict the other partner's psychological adjustment (life satisfaction).
• Interpersonal factors, specifically partners' perceptions of infertility, are crucial for couples' well-being during IVF.
• Psychological interventions should consider dyadic dynamics to enhance infertile couples' adaptation and well-being.