Coping with infertility: Comparison of coping mechanisms and psychological immune competence in fertile and infertile couples

This study compared coping strategies and psychological immunity of parents with a child conceived with assisted reproductive technology (n=84) and parents with a naturally conceived child (n=84) in a Hungarian fertility-age population. Results showed that in vitro fertilization parents are able to control their emotions in a better way than comparison couples. They interpret trials as challenges and consider themselves more worthy than the members of the control group. Our research confirms that consideration and management of psychological factors in treating infertility have an important preventive role to play.