P-484 Infertility stigma, openness with others, and their relationship to depression and meaning in life among men and women experiencing infertility

Abstract Study question Does infertility-related stigma and being open with others relate to depression and meaning in life among men and women experiencing infertility? Summary answer Higher infertility stigma was related to higher depression and search for meaning, whereas higher openness was related to lower depression and higher presence of meaning. What is known already For men experiencing infertility, there is relatively scarce knowledge about the relationship between infertility stigma, openness, depression, and meaning in life. For women, previous studies have found that higher levels of infertility stigma are associated with higher levels of hopelessness (Kaya 29% women), presence of meaning (28% men; 27% women), and search for meaning (22% men; 16% women). Men and women who reported higher levels of personal infertility stigma had higher levels of depression (Betas = .23 men and .24 women; ps .05), as well as higher levels of searching for meaning (Beta = .26 men, p = .051; Beta = .16 women, p = .016). Higher stigma was also associated with lower presence of meaning in women (Beta = -.233, ps .001). Men and women who reported higher levels of openness with others about infertility reported substantially lower levels of depression (Betas = -.51 men and -.32 women; ps .001), and greater presence of meaning in life (Betas = .29 men and .22 women; ps .05). Openness with others was also associated with lower search for meaning among women (Beta = -.127, p = .011). Women who were currently in treatment reported more depression compared to both women who were never in treatment (Beta = -.245, p = .019), and women who had previously been in treatment (Beta = -.244, p = .031). Limitations, reasons for caution This study provided the rare opportunity to examine infertility and mental health among men, but caution is necessary when interpreting these results due to the relatively small sample size. The correlational findings do not allow for inferences of causality, and testing the generalizability of findings is an important next step. Wider implications of the findings The study highlights that higher infertility stigma and lower openness with others are key factors in understanding men and women’s mental health and worldview perceptions. Encouraging individuals with infertility to share their experiences with others may reduce feelings of depression, while also increasing one’s sense of meaning in life. Trial registration number not applicable