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Predicting Emotional Response to Unsuccessful Fertility Treatment: A Prospective Study

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Abstract

The predictive value of a comprehensive model with personality characteristics, stressor related cognitions, coping and social support was tested in a sample of 187 nonpregnant women. The emotional response to the unsuccessful treatment was predicted out of vulnerability factors assessed before the start of the treatment. The results indicated the importance of neuroticism as a vulnerability factor in emotional response to a severe stressor. They also underlined the importance of helplessness and marital dissatisfaction as additional risk factors, and acceptance and perceived social support as additional protective factors, in the development of anxiety and depression after a failed fertility treatment. From clinical point of view, these results suggest fertility-related cognitions and social support should receive attention when counselling women undergoing IVF or ICSI treatment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Psychology, University Medical Center St. Radboud, The Netherlands

    Christianne M. Verhaak, Andrea W. M. Evers, Agnes van Minnen & Floris W. Kraaimaat

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center St. Radboud, The Netherlands

    Jesper M. J. Smeenk & Jan A. M. Kremer

  3. UMC-St. Radboud, 435 Medical Psychology, PO Box 9101, Nijmegen, 6500 HB, The Netherlands

    Christianne M. Verhaak & Agnes van Minnen

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  1. Christianne M. Verhaak
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  2. Jesper M. J. Smeenk
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  3. Andrea W. M. Evers
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  4. Agnes van Minnen
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  6. Floris W. Kraaimaat
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Correspondence to Agnes van Minnen.

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Verhaak, C.M., Smeenk, J.M.J., Evers, A.W.M. et al. Predicting Emotional Response to Unsuccessful Fertility Treatment: A Prospective Study. J Behav Med 28, 181–190 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-005-3667-0

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