Experiences Related to Learned Helplessness and Support Needs Among Patients with Recurrent Implantation Failure
Shimin Guo1, Xiaocui Peng1, Chunying Xie1
1School of Nursing, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
Purpose:
This qualitative study aimed to explore experiences related to learned helplessness and support needs among patients with recurrent implantation failure undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer, and to provide evidence for targeted psychological support and nursing interventions in clinical practice.
Patients And Methods:
A descriptive phenomenological study was conducted. Using purposive sampling, 17 patients with recurrent implantation failure undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer were recruited from the Reproductive Medicine Center of a tertiary Grade A hospital in Guangzhou between December 2025 and March 2026. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Colaizzi's seven-step phenomenological method, supported by NVivo 15.0 software.
Results:
The analysis identified four themes and 13 subthemes, covering perceived sources of learned helplessness, manifestations in daily life and psychological well-being, participants' coping responses, and external support needs. These themes reflected how repeated treatment failure, invasive procedures, uncertainty about pregnancy outcomes, and medical and family-related pressures shaped participants' helplessness experiences, influenced daily life and psychological well-being, and generated needs for information, emotional support, continuity of care, and supportive family and peer communication.
Conclusion:
Patients with recurrent implantation failure undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer described learned helplessness as a multifaceted experience related to repeated treatment failure, invasive procedures, uncertainty about pregnancy outcomes, and medical and family-related pressures. This experience was closely associated with disruptions in daily life, persistent psychological distress, differentiated coping patterns, and multidimensional support needs. Healthcare professionals are encouraged to identify feelings of helplessness early and provide continuous, individualized nursing support based on patients' coping patterns and support needs.
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