Mediating effect of alexithymia on ruminant thinking and depression in infertile patients / 中国实用护理杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To explore the status quo of alexithymia, ruminant thinking and depression in infertility patients and their relationship.Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted among infertile patients who visited the reproductive center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from September to December 2018. The data were analyzed by descriptive analysis, t-test, variance analysis and path analysis. Results:There was a moderate positive correlation between depression score (13.17 ±8.66), alexithymia score (51.62±10.91) and ruminant thinking score (18.28±10.65) in infertile patients ( r values were 0.442, 0.551, 0.569, all P < 0.05). Alexithymia played a mediating role between ruminant thinking and depression in infertile patients, and its indirect effect was 0.026 4, accounting for the total effect 24.81%. Conclusions:The depression status of infertility patients is not optimistic. Ruminant thinking has a great impact on infertility patients through alexithymia. The inner feelings of infertility patients can not be effectively expressed. It is easy to form negative emotional stress, which leads to depression. Medical staff and family members should pay attention to the ruminant thinking of patients' inner thoughts and timely dumping. Hearing and counseling can promote the physical and mental recovery of patients.