The impact of the levels of perceived social support in infertile couples on stress related with infertility and marital adjustment

In this study it was aimed to assess and evaluate the impact of the levels of perceived social support in infertile couples on stress related with infertility and marital adjustment. In addition, it was planned to investigate the reliability and validity of the Turkish version of Fertility Problem Inventory (FPI). The study included 104 couples with primary or secondary infertility and 44 healthy couples with children for the control group. Control group was given the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS), Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS) and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Infertile group was given HADS, DAS, MSPSS and also Fertility Problem Inventory. The study results indicate that the Turkish version of FPI provides a reliable and valid measure for all indicators. Women in infertile couples reported greater psychological symptoms and more decreased marital adjustment than men in infertile couples; but the couples did not show any significant difference with those in control groups regarding these parameters. It was determined that, in general, while marital adjustment in infertile couples increases, depression and anxiety levels decrease. It was also observed that perceieved social support from the family has a positive effect on the marital adjustment. The perceived social support level in men in infertil couples is lower than women in the same group, and this outcome is also related with the increasing anxiety in men. These results showed that psychosocial problems in infertile couples should be evaluated with specific scales. Psychosocial support which will be given to infertile couples and motivating social support systems while providing this service would have positive effects especially on men.