Psychometric evaluation of infertile couples. (preliminary findings.)

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Abstract
Frequent allusion is made by both medical and lay writers to the stress that infertility causes for individuals and society. Objective data is more difficult to come by. This study was conducted, firstly, to assess the usefulness of a series of self report measures to determine the psychological state of recipient couples and, secondly, to gain preliminary information regarding the differences between infertile and fertile couples. Questionnaires were distributed to male and female partners in couples falling into the following groups: 1. Fertile who have delivered a live-born child; 3. Infertile who have delivered a live-born child; 3. Infertile who have conceived but not delivered; 4. Infertile undergoing investigation and/or treatment. The results indicate that even with rather modest numbers of completed questionnaires there are quite marked group differences. These provide quite a consistent picture and suggest beneficial effects of pregnancy but detrimental effects of childbirth amongst couples successfully treated for infertility. Further studies using these questionnaires are now in progress.

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