Coping Characteristics of Women Suffering from Primary Infertility

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Infertility invokes immense stress, especially in women. Coping skills and characteristics are driven in an adaptive and maladaptive way to deal with the life stressors. The type of characteristic pulled in has a substantial impact on the individual entangled in the life situation. Study was done to know how do they cope with stress. Material and Methods: The present study included a total of 115 female patients who registered in the Gynecology OPD for infertility treatment. 15 were excluded on the basis of Secondary Infertility, Comorbid medical/surgical illness and previous and past history or treatment for Psychiatric diagnoses. They were interviewed on Brief Cope scale, after consent. Questionnaire was explained to them in the language they understood. Data was analyzed using appropriate statistics and software. Result: Highest mean scores was observed for Active Coping. It was followed by engagement in Religious activities and Self Distraction. Analysis between coping skills and various demographic details like Age, Education, Type of Family, Duration of Marriage, Previous treatment taken or not, Duration of ART and Number of ART failures also yielded some statistically significant results. Conclusion: Life stressors invokes imbibed coping skills in response to the situations. Maladaptive patterns usually have negative impacts. It is important to understand the coping patterns in these women to know their maladjustments