The Coping Styles of The Infertile Couples Referred To Infertility Center Of Imam Khomeini Hospital, Sari 2016-2017

Backgournd: Infertile women use more inefficient coping strategies due to their inability to control their life events, low self-esteem and increased psychological stress. The aim of this study was to determine the coping styles of the infertile couples referred to Imam Khomeini hospital. Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study 240 infertile individuals (120 couples) were recruited with available sampling method. Questionnaires such as demographic data and Lazarus-Folkman Coping Strategy questionnaire were completed by participants. Data analysis was performed using statistical tests such as independent t-test, Mann-Whitney test and SPSS 20.Results: Results showed that the problemoriented (P=0.248) and emotional focused coping style scores (P=0.886) were similar in men and women. The results on the subscales of emotional-focused coping style showed that there was no significant difference between men and women in terms of direct coping score (P=0.066), the abstinence score (P=0.098), avoidance score (P=0.114) and self-control score (P=0.305). Problem-oriented coping style subscales indicated that the average score of social support seeking in women was significantly higher than males (P=0.007). However, the mean of the planned problem-solving in males and females was similar (P= 0.906). Also, there was no significant difference between women and men in terms of accountability scores (P=0.886) and positive reevaluation score (P=0.892). Conclusion: Due to the importance of usingeffective coping styles in stressful conditions such as infertility assessing these styles in the psychological compromise of couples with infertility is an important therapeutic action.

Keywords:

Coping Styles , Infertile Couples , Infertility