The Effect of Stress Management Based on Cogni-tive-Behavioral Method on Infertility Related Stress in In-fertile Couples

Background: Infertility, have an emotional and stressful na-ture, is one of the life crisis for men and women. Different methods have been used to reduce infertility related stress and thus improve treatment in infertile couples. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of stress management based on cognitive behavioral method on infertility related stress in infertile couples.Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial study, 20 infertile couples who referred to the Mahdieh Hos-pital from April 15 to May 15, 2017, were attending. Sampling was done randomly and assigned to two experimental group (10 couples) and control group (10 couples). Data were collected using demographic questionnaire, Fertility Problem Question-naire (infertility-related stress). Data were analyzed by descrip-tive and analytical statistics (Generalized Equation Estimation Model (GEE)).Results: The mean score of total stress associated with infertil-ity in the control group was significantly higher than the inter-vention group (P <0.001). Also, the mean scores of subscale of social concern, sexual concern, and rejection of childfree lifestyle in the control group were significantly higher than the intervention group (P = 0.001, P = 0.01, P = 0.006).Conclusion: The implementation of stress management based on cognitive behavioral and infertility counseling is an effective method for controlling the infertility-related stress in infertile couples. It is suggested that this effective counseling method be put into the care and support package of infertile couples to reduce the consequences of infertility by reducing and control-ling their stress.

Keywords:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy , Infertility , Stress , Couples