The Relationship between Perceived Stress and Marital Satisfaction in Couples with Infertility: Actor-Partner Interdependence Model
Journal Title: International Journal of Fertility & Sterility - Year 2019, Vol 13, Issue 1
Abstract
Background: Infertility, one of life’s great stressors, may adversely affect marital satisfaction. No studies have investigated the relationship between perceived stress and marital satisfaction at the dyadic level. The current study assessed the actor and partner effects of perceived stress on marital satisfaction in husband-wife dyads using an innovative dyadic analysis approach, the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM). Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we recruited a total of 141 infertile couples. Marital satisfaction and stress were assessed using the ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Scale (EMS Scale) and Perceived Stress Scale-4 Item (PSS-4), respectively. Dyadic data have been analysed by the APIM approach, with distinguishable dyads. In this approach, actor effect is the impact of a person᾽s perceived stress on his/her own marital satisfaction. Partner effect is the impact of a person's perceived stress on the partner᾽s marital satisfaction. Results: Both men and women’s perceived stress exhibited an actor effect on their marital satisfaction (β=-0.312, P<0.001, β=-0.405, P<0.001, respectively). Women’s perceived stress had a negative relationship to the marital satisfaction of their partner (β=-0.174, P=0.040). Although the partner effect of men’s perceived stress on woman’s marital satisfaction was not significant (β=-0.138, P=0.096), women whose husbands had higher levels of stress were more likely to have poorer marital satisfaction. Both actor and partner effects of perceived stress on marital satisfaction were similar among men and their wives. Conclusion: The findings of this study have highlighted that marital satisfaction in patients with infertility was influenced by not only their own perceived stress, but also their spouses’ perceived stresses. Therefore, psychological interventions that target a reduction in perceived stress and enhancement of marital satisfaction in the context of infertility should treat the couple as a unit.
Authors and Affiliations
Saman Maroufizadeh, Mostafa Hosseini, Abbas Rahimi Foroushani, Reza Omani Samani, Payam Amini
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP469248
- DOI 10.22074/ijfs.2019.5437
- Views 135
- Downloads 0
Estimation of Day-Specific Probabilities of Conception during Natural Cycle in Women from Babylon
Background: Identifying predictors of the probabilities of conception related to the timing and frequency of intercourse in the menstrual cycle is essential for couples attempting pregnancy, users of natural family plann...
Medical and Surgical Treatment of Reproductive Outcomes in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: An Overview of Systematic Reviews
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common, complex condition that affects up to 18% of reproductiveaged women, causing reproductive, metabolic and psychological dysfunctions. We performed an overview and appraisal of...
Evaluation of Embryos Derived from in vitro Fertilized Oocytes Reconstructed by Meiosis-II Chromosome Transplantation from Aged Mice to Ooplasms of Young Mice
In Vitro Fertilization, Levels of Pro-Inflammatory Factors and Lipid Peroxidation
Background Infertility is a problem concerning 10-15% of the individuals in the fertile period. This study investigated effects of proinflammatory factors as well as lipid hydroperoxides (LPO) levels upon in vitro fertil...
The Need for A Training Software among Iranian Infertile Couples: A Qualitative Study
Background Training needs are multidimensional requirements affected by social and cultural background, level of knowledge and personal and health conditions. This study was conducted to explain the needs for a training...