Eugster A, Vingerhoets A J
Department of Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg Research School Psychology and Health, Netherlands.
Soc Sci Med. 1999 Mar;48(5):575-89. doi: 10.1016/s0277-9536(98)00386-4.
This paper reviews psychological research within the context of in vitro fertilization (IVF). The focus will be on psychological reactions before entering an IVF-procedure, during an IVF-treatment, and after both unsuccessful and successful IVF. The effects of psychosocial factors on the treatment outcome after IVF and interventions on conception rates will also be discussed. Undergoing an IVF-treatment is an emotional and physical burden, for both the woman and her partner. Research results suggest that couples entering an IVF-treatment program are, in general, psychologically well adjusted. Concerning reactions during the treatment, both women and men experience waiting for the outcome of the IVF-treatment and an unsuccessful IVF. as most stressful. Common reactions during IVF are anxiety and depression, while after an unsuccessful IVF, feelings of sadness, depression and anger prevail. After a successful IVF-treatment, IVF-parents experience more stress during pregnancy than 'normal fertile' parents. Mothers with children conceived by IVF express a higher quality of parent child relationship than mothers with a naturally conceived child. Research further suggests that psychosocial factors, like ineffective coping strategies, anxiety and/or depression are associated with a lower pregnancy rate following IVF-procedures. In addition, support has been found suggesting that stress reduction through relaxation training or behavioral treatment improves conception rates.
本文回顾了体外受精（IVF）背景下的心理学研究。重点将放在进入IVF程序之前、IVF治疗期间以及IVF治疗失败和成功之后的心理反应。还将讨论社会心理因素对IVF治疗结果的影响以及对受孕率的干预措施。接受IVF治疗对女性及其伴侣来说都是情感和身体上的负担。研究结果表明，进入IVF治疗项目的夫妇总体上心理调适良好。关于治疗期间的反应，女性和男性都认为等待IVF治疗结果以及IVF治疗失败是最有压力的。IVF期间常见的反应是焦虑和抑郁，而IVF治疗失败后，悲伤、抑郁和愤怒的情绪普遍存在。IVF治疗成功后，IVF父母在孕期比“正常受孕”的父母经历更多压力。通过IVF受孕的母亲所表达的亲子关系质量高于自然受孕的母亲。研究进一步表明，社会心理因素，如无效的应对策略、焦虑和/或抑郁与IVF程序后较低的受孕率相关。此外，有证据表明，通过放松训练或行为治疗减轻压力可提高受孕率。
