A longitudinal comparative study of a multicouple group and single-couple psychosocial intervention while experiencing infertility

Fam Process. 2023 Jun;62(2):557-575. doi: 10.1111/famp.12820. Epub 2022 Sep 29.

Abstract

This is a quasi-experimental, nonequivalent design study investigating the efficacy of multicouple group and single-couple intervention formats aimed at diminishing the psychosocial impact of infertility. The review studies carried out to date that have assessed this subject do not show consistent findings and although increasing the efficacy and efficiency of intervention formats more than justifies their analysis, there are no studies making this particular comparison. Eighty-seven infertile couples who were in assessment for their infertility and/or were close to undergoing some kind of assisted reproductive technology process participated in a psychosocial intervention either under the multicouple group or single-couple subconditions, or acted as controls. The variables of depression, anxiety, and fertility quality of life were used for evaluating psychosocial impact. Comparisons were made: (a) between the intervention condition and controls and (b) between the two subconditions. The results support the efficacy of the intervention both in the dyadic latent growth curve models analysis carried out and in the treatment effect calculation. Although in the comparison between the multicouple and single-couple format, some differences generally favoring the single format one were found, they were not conclusive. Therefore, the results are in line with review studies that did not find the group format to be more effective. Although this study provides valuable information, its limitations mean that further research needs to be carried out. When selecting the intervention format, therapists should also weigh up others aspects, such as the intervention goal, patient's needs and characteristics, reproductive history, and current stage of infertility.

本研究是一项拟实验性质的、非等效设计的研究,主要调查不同的干预形式其有效性的情况,如多个夫妇参与的小组和一对夫妇参与的两种形式。这种干预是旨在缓解不孕不育造成的的社会心理影响。迄今为止有不少针对对这一课题进行评估的综述研究,但是并没有显示出一致的结果,尽管干预形式的有效性和效率的提高能证实其分析的合理性,但还没有研究进行这种专项的比较。本研究中,有87对不孕不育夫妇作为研究对象,他们要么正在接受不孕不育的评估,或者也接近接受某种辅助生殖技术(ART)过程。他们参与了心理社会干预,形式有多对夫妇参与的小组或一对夫妇参与的情况,或作为对照组。评估社会心理影响的变量包括抑郁、焦虑和不孕不育患者的生活质量量表。研究过程中作了以下比较: (a)干预条件与对照组; (B)介于两个子条件之间。研究结果支持干预的有效性,无论是在进行的二元LGCM分析和治疗效果计算。尽管在多对夫妇和单对夫妇形式的比较中,发现了一些普遍有利于单对形式的差异,但这些差异并不是结论性的。总结而言,本研究结果与没有发现小组形式影响效度的那一类综述研究的结论一致。虽然本研究提供了有价值的信息,但其局限性也表明需要开展更多进一步的研究。在选择干预形式时,治疗师还应权衡其他方面,如干预目标、患者的需求和特点、生殖史和当前不育阶段。.

Keywords: dyadic LGCM; infertility; multicouple group; psychosocial intervention format; psychosocial outcomes; single couple; 不孕不育; 单对夫妇; 双性LGCM; 多对夫妇组; 社会心理干预形式; 社会心理结果.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anxiety / therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infertility* / psychology
  • Infertility* / therapy
  • Psychosocial Intervention*
  • Quality of Life
  • Stress, Psychological / therapy