Infertility

Infertility is a health problem that affects about 10-15% of couples worldwide. Infertility is defined as the inability of couples to successfully conceive a child after one year of unprotected sex. The causes of infertility are often not easily identified. However, this disorder appears to be due to genetic or environmental factors, some of which may be modifiable and may be considered as a treatment option. The use of emerging infertility treatment technologies has been somewhat effective. However, these methods are very expensive and, in some cases, their success rate is relatively low. A sedentary lifestyle can lead to several disorders such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and conditions such as obesity. Obesity can have a negative effect on the fertility of couples. Overall, it seems that changing the sedentary lifestyle and increasing physical activity by performing regular exercise training can enhance the chances of fertility. However, it should be noted that strenuous exercise training has a negative effect on fertility.

Aim: The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of Acceptance and Commitment Couple Therapy (ACCT) and Emotion-Focused Couple Therapy (EFCT) on infertile women's sexual attitudes. Method: This quasi-experimental investigation included a pre-test, post-test, and follow-up design, with a control group. The statistics population comprised all infertile women aged 25 to 45 with infertility for more than five years, a total of 171 women who visited Novin Infertility Clinic in Mashhad in 2022. 45 participants who met the inclusion criteria were chosen and matched according to education level and length of infertility. They were divided equally into three groups of fifteen each. Following the pre-test, the experimental groups were assigned to either the ACCT based on Hayes and Strosahl's (2010) or the EFCT based on Johnson's (2008) treatment programs, which consisted of eight weekly 90-minute sessions. Following this, a post-test and a three-month follow-up were conducted. The research tool used was the Dehghani Sexual Attitude Questionnaire (2005). Data were analyzed using SPSS-27. Findings: The results revealed a substantial difference in the efficacy of ACCT and EFCT in altering sexual attitudes among infertile women. Both therapy were successful, however ACCT produced more consistent outcomes during the follow-up period. Although EFCT increased sexual attitude posttest scores compared to the pre-test, the results did not remain constant in the follow-up phase, with a little decrease. Both medications were beneficial, although ACCT had a longer-lasting influence. Conclusion: The results showed that ACCT had a greater impact on modifying sexual attitudes than EFCT.

Objective: In this study, the intervention of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) on resilience, rumination, and dysfunctional attitudes in infertile couples is studied.Method: The research design was quasi-experimental with pre-test-post-test and a one-month follow-up with control groups. The statistical population of the study consisted of infertile couples referred to Ibn Sina Infertility Center in Tehran, where 30 infertile couples aged 24-40 were selected as research samples by using a purposive sampling method based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, who were then randomly assigned into two groups of 15 couples. The research instruments were Connor and Davidson's (2003) Resilience Questionnaire, the Nalen and Huxma (1991) rumination, and the Weissman and Beck (1978) dysfunctional attitude questionnaire that were provided to both groups to collect the required data. The control group stayed on the waiting list, and the mindfulness training was performed for the experimental group during eight weekly sessions (two 90-minute sessions per week), according to Segal, Williams, and Tisdale MBCT Protocol (2018). The sessions were performed online and on Skyroom's platform. The research data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA).Results: The results showed that MBCT treatment improved resilience and reduced rumination and dysfunctional attitudes in the experimental group and the post-test and follow-up phase (P<0/001).Conclusion: According to the results, employing this approach for infertile couples is helpful and it can be suggested for improving their psychological conditions. 

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of self-compassion training on reducing loneliness and improving health-related quality of life in infertile women. Methods: A randomized controlled trial design was used, involving 30 infertile women recruited from a specialized infertility treatment center. Participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 15) receiving eight sessions of self-compassion training or a control group (n = 15) with no intervention. Assessments were conducted at baseline, post-intervention, and at a five-month follow-up using the Loneliness Questionnaire and the Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests. Findings: The experimental group showed significant reductions in loneliness from pre-test (M = 45.32, SD = 6.45) to post-test (M = 30.21, SD = 5.28) and follow-up (M = 31.12, SD = 5.34), while the control group remained stable. Health-related quality of life significantly improved in the experimental group from pre-test (M = 62.45, SD = 7.34) to post-test (M = 78.53, SD = 6.78) and follow-up (M = 77.95, SD = 6.65), with minimal changes in the control group. ANOVA results indicated significant time and group interactions for both loneliness (F(2, 56) = 67.03, p < .001, η² = .71) and health-related quality of life (F(2, 56) = 113.20, p < .001, η² = .80). Conclusion: Self-compassion training is effective in reducing loneliness and improving health-related quality of life in infertile women. These benefits were sustained at the five-month follow-up, highlighting the long-term potential of self-compassion interventions in supporting the psychological well-being of infertile women.

Objective: This study aimed to explore how adoptive parents construct their identities and meaning of parenthood following experiences of infertility. Methods: This qualitative research employed a narrative methodology to investigate the lived experiences of 31 adoptive parents residing in Austria, all of whom had previously experienced infertility. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling, ensuring diversity in gender, relationship status, and duration since adoption. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, each lasting between 60 and 90 minutes. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic narrative analysis with the assistance of NVivo software. Theoretical saturation guided the cessation of data collection. Data analysis focused on identifying shared themes and patterns in the way participants narrated their transition from infertility to adoptive parenthood. Findings: Three major themes emerged from the data: Redefining Parenthood, Emotional Journey, and Social and Relational Adjustments. Within these categories, participants described subthemes such as letting go of biological ties, reconstructing identity, symbolic rituals, emotional ambivalence, hope and renewal, navigating social stigma, and coping with institutional processes. Participants emphasized the importance of narrative reconstruction, spiritual or moral reframing, and peer support in legitimizing their parental identity. Despite the fulfillment found in adoption, many expressed that emotional residues from infertility persisted, shaping their experience of parenthood in both subtle and explicit ways. Conclusion: The findings highlight that adoptive parenthood after infertility is a complex, emotionally layered, and socially negotiated process. Narrative identity construction plays a vital role in helping individuals reconcile reproductive loss with the joys and challenges of adoption.