Experiential Avoidance, Self-compassion, Self-judgment and Coping Styles in Infertility

• Main Author: Cunha, Marina
• Publication Date: 2016
• Other Authors: Galhardo, Ana, Pinto-Gouveia, José
• Format: Article
• Language: eng
• Source: Repositórios Científicos de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (RCAAP)
• Download full: http://repositorio.ismt.pt/handle/123456789/759
• topic: Estilos de Coping - Coping styles; Infertilidade - Infertility; Evitamento experiencial/inflexibilidade psicológicos - Psychological inflexibility/experiential avoidance; Auto-compaixão - Self-compassion; Auto-juízo - Self-judgment

Objectives: This study sought out to explore the existence of differences regarding emotion regulation processes (psychological inflexibility/experiential avoidance,self-judgment and self-compassion) and coping styles (emotional/detached, avoidant and rational) in three different groups of couples: 120 fertile couples(FG), 147 couples with an infertility diagnosis who were pursuing medical treatment for their fertility problem(s) (IG), and 59 couples with infertility applying for adoption (AG). Study design: Cross-sectional survey, using the couple as unit of analysis. Main outcome measures: Participants filled in paper-pencil questionnaires assessing coping styles, psychological inflexibility/experiential avoidance, self-judgment and self-compassion. Results: IG couples, and particularly women, tend to use more experiential avoidance and self-judgment mechanisms and less emotional/detached coping style. When compared to FG couples, IG and AG couples tend to apply more avoidant coping strategies. AG couples showed higher self-compassion. Conclusions: Findings suggest that emotion regulation processes may be an important target in psycho-logical interventions for patients dealing with infertility and with the demands of medical treatment.