The Relationship between Infertility Characteristics and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Women Seeking Fertility Treatment: A Cross-sectional Study

Document Type : Original Research Article

Authors

1 a) Assistant Professor, Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran b) Addiction and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran

2 a) Associate Professor, Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran b) Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

3 MSc in Midwifery, Milad Infertility Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

4 MSc in Statistics, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran

10.22038/jmrh.2025.83225.2498

Abstract

Background & aim: Infertility profoundly affects multiple aspects of human life, serving as a major stressor and often causing significant emotional distress for couples, especially women. This study investigated the relationship between the characteristics of infertility and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in women undergoing fertility treatment.
Methods: This cross-sectional study examined 473 infertile women who sought treatment at one Infertility Center, affiliated with Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran from December 2020 to February 2022. Participants were selected through convenience sampling. Data collection involved completing a demographic and infertility-related characteristics questionnaire, the Fertility Problem Inventory (FPI), and the Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Checklist on a self-report basis. To analyse data, independent t-test, chi-square test, Pearson correlations, one-way ANOVA and multiple regression analyses using SPSS version 23 were employed.
Results: Three Fertility Problem Inventory domains includingrejection of child-free lifestyle, social concern, and desire for parenthood showed a significant negative association with PTSD (p<.001). No significant relationship was found between PTSD and demographic factors or  types of infertility.
Conclusion: Considering negative association between PTSD and three Fertility Problem Inventory domains, screening for PTSD symptoms by healthcare providers could play a critical role in identifying, assessing, and treating trauma-related conditions in infertility care. So, further research is recommended to deepen our understanding of these relationships.

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Main Subjects

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Journal of Midwifery and Reproductive Health
Volume 14, Issue 2
April 2026
Pages 5355-5364

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