The Impact of Couple Communication Patterns on Fertility-related Stress and Psychological Capital in Women with OHSS after Embryo Transfer

Aims: To examine the association between couple communication patterns, psychological capital, and fertility-related stress. Also, to explore mediating effect of communication patterns on the relationship between psychological capital and fertility-related stress among patients with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome after an embryo transfer in China. Background Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome is a severe complication of the superovulation procedure. It can cause severe discomfort, infertility, and uncertainty about a successful pregnancy. Moreover, these unfavorable conditions are a source of intense stress for the patients and negatively impact their mental and emotional state and effective communication. These three patterns that regulate the fertility-related stress levels in women with OHSS remained understudied. Design: This study used a cross-sectional design. Methods We recruited 175 patients with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome after an embryo transfer for a survey in a reproductive ward of a tertiary hospital in China. This study used the questionnaires on Psychological capital, the Fertility stress scale (FPI), and couples' communication patterns to collect the data. A structural equation model analyzed the mediating effect of a couple of communication patterns. A Strobe checklist was used to guide the reporting of this study. Results A combination of low levels of psychological capital and requested avoidance/complete avoidance communication patterns were associated with high levels of fertility-related stress (139.6 ± 25.71) among participants. Psychological capital was negatively correlated with fertility-related stress. And then, requested/completed communication had a significant positive effect on the stress, but constructive communication had no relationship with the stress. In addition, the requested avoidance communication pattern had a negative mediating effect between psychological capital and fertility-related stress in patients with OHSS (95% CI − 0.207, − 0.005). Conclusion A couple's communication patterns and the levels of psychological capital of patients with OHSS can partly predict fertility-related stress. While requested avoidance in couple communication can, the level of psychological capital of the patient with OHSS after an embryo transfer contributed to their excessive fertility-related stress. Health workers may reduce their stress by addressing negative communication styles.