Psychological and behavioral parameters related to the early withdrawal from infertility treatment

Selected psychological and behavioral parameters were examined in this investigation in order to ascertain their contribution in the early withdrawal of couples from infertility treatment. Specifically, the investigation was designed to assess personality traits, health locus of control, relationship variables, sexual functioning, and coping methods of couples undergoing treatment as compared to those who have discontinued treatment prematurely. Data were collected from 75 subjects from the Fertility Center at the University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville, Tennessee. Two sets of questionnaires were administered to the subjects. The first was returned by mail within one week of the initial consultation at the Fertility Center. The second set of questionnaires was mailed to the subjects four months after the initial consultation. Subjects that had discontinued treatment were mailed a follow-up questionnaire. Instruments utilized consisted of the Taylor Johnson Temperament Analysis, the Health Locus of Control, the Adjective Generation Technique, and the Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire. The data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U Tests and the Wilcoxon Signed-Ranked Tests. The following conclusions were formulated based upon the findings of this investigation. 1. The identification of decreasing levels of the sympathetic personality trait and increasing tendencies toward an emotionally inhibited trait pattern over time will aid in predicting which couples will withdraw from treatment early. 2. The identification of increased levels of a powerful others locus of control at the initial consultation will aid in predicting which couples will withdraw from treatment early. 3. The identification of increased levels of female anxiety toward the physician and of male favorability toward self at the initial consultation will aid in predicting which couples will withdraw from treatment early. 4. The identification of increased levels of anxiety in infertile wives toward themselves, their bodies, and their infertility at the initial consultation will aid in predicting which couples will remain active in treatment programs. With the information obtained from this investigation, as well as psychological and behavioral parameters from future research, the health care professional may be better able to assist the infertile couple in continuing a comprehensive treatment program and thus reduce the time for a pregnancy and live birth.