Infertility affects between 8% and 12% of couples of reproductive age worldwide, and for many, the inability to conceive disrupts their dreams of building a family. While advancements in assisted reproductive technologies have made it possible to address this challenge, these treatments are often physically, emotionally, and financially taxing for patients. A new study from the ABC Medical School (FM-ABC) in Brazil explores how these treatments impact work-family conflicts, providing fresh insights into an often overlooked aspect of infertility treatment.
The study, published in Psychology, Health & Medicine, found that work-family conflict is more pronounced among men undergoing assisted reproductive treatments, while women experience higher levels of stress. The research involved 242 couples undergoing treatment at the Ideia Fértil Institute, a facility linked to FM-ABC in Santo André, São Paulo. The participants had a median age of 37, with 60% being women, 67% holding university degrees, and 37% married for over ten years.
Infertility treatments often require significant time commitments, as patients attend frequent medical appointments, which can interfere with their professional responsibilities. This disruption can lead to job-related stress, as some patients risk losing employment due to frequent absences. Victor Zaia, a professor at FM-ABC and lead author of the study, noted that some patients even take steps to conceal the reason for their medical appointments, such as requesting certificates without clinic logos to avoid revealing their infertility treatments to employers.
The study focused on assessing the impact of assisted reproduction on patients’ work-family balance through various questionnaires. The researchers employed four internationally validated scales: the Infertility-Related Stress Scale (IRSS), the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC 10), the Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS), and the Work-Family Conflict Scale. The findings revealed significant gender differences in how infertility treatments affect patients emotionally and professionally.
Men reported higher levels of work interference with family life, but demonstrated greater resilience and lower levels of stress compared to women. On the other hand, women exhibited lower resilience and higher stress levels, which the researchers suggest could be influenced by societal pressures surrounding motherhood. Women also had higher levels of interpersonal stress and were more likely to experience emotional challenges.
The study highlights that stress alone is not enough to explain work-family conflict. Instead, a lack of resilience and social support exacerbates the issue, creating a vicious cycle of stress and conflict. Zaia emphasized that strengthening resilience and providing emotional support can help reduce work-family conflicts and improve the quality of life for couples undergoing infertility treatments.
In clinical practice, the study’s findings suggest that healthcare providers should focus on enhancing communication and support systems for patients, helping them manage stress and improving their ability to adapt to treatment. Strategies to bolster resilience and foster social support networks can be crucial in mitigating the emotional toll of infertility treatments.
This study sheds light on the complex interplay between fertility treatments, emotional well-being, and work-family balance. It calls attention to the importance of addressing the emotional needs of couples undergoing these treatments and emphasizes the role of healthcare providers in supporting patients’ mental health and resilience.
In Brazil, access to assisted reproductive technologies is limited, with only a small percentage of fertility clinics offering services through the public healthcare system. The financial burden is significant, with private treatments ranging from BRL 3,000 to BRL 100,000 per cycle, depending on the location and procedure. Despite these challenges, the study highlights the need for greater support for patients navigating the emotional and practical challenges of infertility treatment.
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