K Sanders1, E Davison1, A Browne1 and P Burton2
1School of Anatomy & Human Biology, The University of Western Australia
2Concept Fertility Centre, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Western Australia
Aims: Higher perceived social support and secure attachment style are associated with improved psychological adjustment and physical outcomes among different health populations. This study examined the relationship between perceived social support, romantic attachment style and psychological and physiological stress responses during an ART cycle.
Methods: Between days 2-6 of treatment women (n=85) presenting for IVF, ICSI or FET completed a set of standardised questionnaires assessing perceived social support from the wider social network and partner, and romantic attachment style. Mood state was assessed daily, and twice–weekly urine samples were provided to determine cortisol excretion rate. Split-plot repeated measures ANOVA were used to compare mood state and cortisol changes across treatment for women with different levels of social support, and between women with secure and insecure attachment styles.
Results: There was a significant main effect of perceived partner support on depression (p=0.026) and hostility (p=0.024). Contrast analysis revealed that women in the lowest quartile for partner support reported greater feelings of hostility (p=0.003) and depression (p=0.003) than women with more support. Women with an insecure attachment style reported significantly more anxiety, depression and hostility compared with securely attached women (all p<0.05). Cortisol excretion did not differ between any groupings of social support or attachment style.
Conclusion: Consistent with other health populations, partner support and romantic attachment style were associated with daily mood states for women receiving ART. Measurement of these psychological characteristics in women receiving ART may prove useful for identifying individuals most likely to benefit from psychosocial interventions.