Psychiatric Morbidity, Quality of Life and Coping Mechanisms in Women with Infertility: A Comprehensive Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background:
Infertility is a growing public health concern affecting approximately 10–15% of couples worldwide, leading to significant psychological distress and impaired quality of life (QoL). Women often face societal stigma and emotional burdens, making it critical to examine the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity, assess QoL, and explore coping mechanisms in this population (Boivin ,2007; Dyer ,2005).

Objectives:
This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity, assess domain-specific impairments in QoL, and examine the role of coping strategies in women experiencing infertility.

Methods:
We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 300 infertile women attending tertiary infertility clinics. Psychiatric morbidity was assessed using the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) (Hamilton, 1959; Hamilton, 1960). QoL was measured using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire (WHOQOL Group, 1998), and coping strategies were evaluated with the Brief COPE Inventory (Carver, 1997). Data analysis included descriptive statistics and multivariate regression to identify significant associations.

Results:
The study revealed that 47% of participants exhibited clinically significant anxiety, and 35% experienced depressive symptoms (Greil ,2010; Domar ,2000). QoL scores indicated severe impairments in psychological (mean score: 43.8) and social domains (mean score: 39.2). Problem-focused coping strategies, such as active planning and problem-solving, were significantly associated with higher QoL scores, whereas emotion-focused coping, including self-blame and avoidance, correlated with increased psychiatric distress (Gameiro ,2014; Pedro ,2013).

Conclusion:
Infertility profoundly impacts mental health and QoL, underscoring the need for integrated psychosocial interventions. Tailored counseling programs that encourage adaptive coping mechanisms may alleviate psychological distress and enhance QoL in women with infertility (Cousineau & Domar, 2007; Pasch & Holley, 2011).