Perfectionistic traits and importance given to parenthood are associated with infertility-related quality of life in a sample of infertile women with and without endometriosis

Cristina Zarbo, Agostino Brugnera, Compare A, Angelo Compare, Ilario Candeloro, Candeloro I, Rita Secomandi, Secomandi R, Betto E, Enrico Betto, Fusi F, Francesco Fusi, Roberta Marabini, Marabini R, Chiara Malandrino, Malandrino C, Marco Carnelli, Carnelli M, Trezzi G, Gaetano Trezzi, Emi Bondi, Rabboni M, Massimo Rabboni, Luigi Frigerio, Frigerio L
Sexual & reproductive healthcare : official journal of the Swedish Association of Midwives · 2018 · vol. 17 , pp. 86–90 · doi:10.1016/j.srhc.2018.07.008 · PMID:30193726 · W2886464823
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This study investigated the relationship between perfectionism, the importance of parenthood, and quality of life in women experiencing infertility, with and without endometriosis.

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess quality of life and psychological differences between infertile women with endometriosis and without endometriosis. To investigate predictive role of perfectionism, mindful awareness and beliefs about parenthood to quality of life in a sample of women with fertility problems. METHODS: 43 infertile women (22 with endometriosis; 21 without endometriosis) who recurred to Assisted Reproductive Treatments (ARTs) in the last 12 months took part to this cross-sectional study. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected by means of a structured ad hoc questionnaire. Fertility Quality of Life, Fertility Problem Inventory - Need of parenthood subscale, Obsessive Beliefs Questionnaire - Perfectionism subscale, and Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale - Revised were used to assess target outcomes. RESULTS: Any difference in quality of life and psychological condition was found between infertile women with and without endometriosis. Importance given to parenthood (beta = -.60, p < .001) and perfectionism (beta = -.30, p < .05) predicted quality of life related to fertility issues, independently of group. CONCLUSIONS: Infertility might elicit self-discrepancy between real-self (i.e. being infertile) and ideal-self (being fertile), which in turn has a negative impact on quality of life. Conclusions about the role of psychologist in ART's team are discussed.

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Condition tags

endometriosisinfertility

MeSH descriptors

Endometriosis Fertility Fertility Infertility, Female Perfectionism Perfectionism Quality of Life Quality of Life Self Concept Self Concept Adult Adult Cross-Sectional Studies Cross-Sectional Studies Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Family Family Female

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