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Mental health and coping with fertility treatment cessation during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK.
Payne, Nicola; van den Akker, Olga.
  • Payne N; Department of Psychology, Middlesex University, London, UK.
  • van den Akker O; Department of Psychology, Middlesex University, London, UK.
J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol ; 43(4): 550-556, 2022 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1931572
ABSTRACT

PURPOSE:

This study examined experiences during the cessation of fertility treatment due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including levels of mental health, coping strategies used to manage uncertainty about treatment due to the pandemic, sources of support, and predictors of mental health.

METHODS:

One hundred and seventy-five participants in the UK completed an online survey.

RESULTS:

Half of the participants experienced clinical levels of anxiety and/or depression, and 20% reported suicidal feelings as a result of the uncertainty about treatment due to the pandemic. Support from friends, family and online forums were reported by more than half of participants, but support from fertility clinics or counsellors were reported by less than one quarter. The strategy used most frequently to cope with the uncertainty about treatment due to the pandemic was self-distraction, and this predicted reduced depression. However, self-blame, behavioral disengagement and venting predicted increased depression and self-blame, behavioral disengagement, and denial predicted increased anxiety.

CONCLUSIONS:

Fertility clinic communication and psychological support, such as counselling, which had substantially reduced during treatment cessation, could include some focus on personal coping, including what to avoid. Psychological support is likely to be more important now than ever. Despite resumption of treatment, the impacts of the period of cessation and of COVID-19 are likely to continue to reverberate.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: COVID-19 Type of study: Observational study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research Limits: Humans Country/Region as subject: Europa Language: English Journal: J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: 0167482X.2022.2097475

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: COVID-19 Type of study: Observational study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research Limits: Humans Country/Region as subject: Europa Language: English Journal: J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: 0167482X.2022.2097475