Stress, anxiety, and quality of life in women with infertility

ABSTRACT Background: Stress, anxiety, and their relationship with the quality of life (QoL) have become pivotal aspects of research, particularly in the context of women grappling with infertility. Understanding the intricate interplay between psychological states and QoL becomes paramount in providing holistic care and support to those navigating infertility. Aims: To assess stress, anxiety, and QoL in women with infertility attending an infertility clinic. Methods: One hundred and twenty-five women between 19 and 44 years of age, diagnosed with female factor infertility, attending infertility clinic were taken as subjects for the study. Perceived Stress Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, and The Fertility Quality of Life Scale (FertiQol) were used to assess stress, anxiety and QoL in women with infertility, respectively. Statistical Analysis Used: Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25.0 was used to analyze the data. Results: Among the participants, 51.2% and 36.8% had moderate levels of stress and anxiety, respectively. A significant association was found between stress and anxiety in women with infertility ( P = 0.001). Socioeconomic status and duration of marriage were found to be associated with moderate to high stress, whereas education, employment, and family type were associated with severe levels of anxiety. The total fertility QoL score was 63.87 ± 16.63. The relational domain scored higher in the overall QoL, while mind–body characteristics ranked the lowest. Conclusion: Our study highlighted the need to routinely evaluate women with infertility for psychiatric illnesses to enhance QoL and pregnancy outcomes. The need for effective management by a liaison of a multidisciplinary team of professionals for holistic treatment is underlined.