Current status of fertility stress in infertile women:mechanisms of mindfulness traits,stress coping styles,and family functioning

ZHOU Rong; XIAO Jingsong; XIONG Yao; WU Kejia; ZHANG Ming; ZHANG Yuanzhen

doi:10.12173/j.issn.1004-5511.202503236

Abstract：Objective To explore the correlation between coping strategies,family intimacy and adaptability,mindfulness level,fertility stress level,educational background,and general characteristics such as family members among infertile women,to provide reference for understanding and improving the psychological state of infertility patients.Methods Infertile patients attending the Reproductive Medicine Centre of Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University from September 2023 to April 2024 were selected for the study,and were assessed using the COMPI-Coping Strategy Scale,Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale Ⅱ-Chinese Version,Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire,and Fertility Problem Inventory(FPI).The scale score correlation analyses were performed.Results A total of 129 female patients were included and the commonly used infertility coping styles were active coping(91.47％)and meaning-focused coping(8.53％).Education background correlated positively with active coping,meaning-focused coping,family intimacy and adaptability and mindfulness(P＜0.01),while inversely relating to fertility stress(P＜0.01).Extended family cohabitation showed positive associations with avoidance behaviors(P＜0.05).The number of cohabiting family members was significantly negatively correlated with scores of meaning-focused coping,family intimacy,and family adaptability(P＜0.05).Both active and passive avoidance strategies significantly predicted elevated fertility stress(P＜0.001).Family cohesion demonstrated strong positive associations with mindfulness(P＜0.001)and negative correlations with fertility stress(P＜0.001).Mindfulness levels were inversely related to fertility stress(P＜0.001).Conclusion Demographic characteristics and family structure significantly influence psychological adaptation in infertility treatment.Enhanced family functioning and mindfulness cultivation may mitigate fertility-related stress through improved active coping strategies.