A. Galhardo (MA)a,b,1,∗, M. Cunha (PhD)a,b, J. Pinto-Gouveia (MD, PhD)b
a Instituto Superior Miguel Torga, Coimbra, Portugal
b CINEICC—Faculdade de Psicologia e de Ciкncias da Educacёгo da Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
Available online 21 September 2011
KEYWORDS


Summary The aim of this study is to characterize subjects with a diagnosis of infertility in
terms of individual psychological functioning and marital adjustment. Eighty normal control
couples without known fertility problems (NC), 80 couples with an infertility diagnosis pursuing
medical treatment (IG) and 40 couples with an infertility diagnosis who are adoption
candidates (AG) completed the instruments: Beck Depression Inventory, Coping Styles Questionnaire,
Others As Shamer, Experience of Shame Scale, Acceptance and Action Questionnaire,
Self-Compassion Scale, Intimacy Dimensions, Female Sexual Function Index, International Index
of Erectile Function, and Dyadic Adjustment Scale. Results show that the IG scored higher than
NC and AG in measures of depression, external and internal shame. IG presented higher scores in
avoidant and emotional coping styles whereas AG showed higher detached and rational coping.
In what concerns acceptance and self-compassion, IG showed lower scores. IG scored higher on
intimacy than normal controls. Dyadic adjustment was higher in the AG. These couples scored
higher than NC but no differences were found between them and IG. No differences between
the groups were found in terms of sexual functioning. Subjects with an infertility diagnosis
showed significant higher scores in psychopathological measures and significant lower scores
in more positive/protective psychological functioning measures. Infertility subjects presented
higher scores than normal controls in intimacy, which suggest that infertility may function as
a couples’ cohesion factor (e.g. during medical treatment). Contrary to what is mentioned in
literature, there were no significant differences in sexual functioning between groups.
© 2011 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.