The state of infertile couples and the study of ways of coping with infertility

This research was done to examine the state of depression of infertile couples and the ways coping with their infertility, in addition to, contribute towards nursing applications at Akdeniz University Research Hospital, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Artificial Reproductions Treatment Unit. The samples for the research were 130 infertile couples who had applied to the Artificial Reproduction Treatment Unit between the dates of 10.03.2000- 10.11.2000. As a means of data collection, a questionnaire that had socio-demographic characters, Beck Depression Inventory and the Scale of the Ways to Coping With Stress were employed. The data collection tools were administered to each couple separately. For evaluation, datum percentage, t-test and correlation analysis techniques were used. 33.10 percent of the women and 10.00 percent of men in the research were found to have the symptoms of clinic depression. The mean score for the women with depression (x= 12.77) was higher than the mean score of men (x = 6.73), a significant finding. The relationship between the depression scores of women, in relation to their age and education level, was also found significant. No significant relationship was found between the depression scores and the infertility period, the duration of treatment and the administration of a number of Artificial Treatment Techniques. Also, no significant relationship between the depression scores of men and the age, the education level, the period of infertility, the treatment duration and the number Artificial Treatment Technique was found.The difference between the mean scores of women who had self-confidence and adopted an optimistic approach were lower than the mean scores of men who had self-confidence and adopted optimistic approach, and this was found to be significant. The difference between the mean scores of women who had no self- confidence but were submissive was higher than for the men who had self-cofidence and a submissive character, and this was deemed significant. The difference between the men and th women mean scores regarding social support was found to be significant. A significant relationship was found between the self-confidence, optimism or lack of self-confidence, submission and social support seeking approaches and depression scores in both men and women. From the result of this research, some suggestions were made to those who work in the clinics and who would like to do some further research.Key Words: Infertility, Depression, Coping and Nursing.