Social support, self-efficacy, cognitive coping and psychological distress in infertile women.

Purpose: The aims of this research were to investigate the relationship of social support, self-efficacy and cognitive coping with psychological distress, as well as, to determine the mediating role of self-efficacy and cognitive coping between social support and psychological distress in infertile women of Pakistan.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted to recruit 158 infertile women from six hospitals of Lahore, Pakistan. A demographic questionnaire, multidimensional scale of perceived social support, infertility self-efficacy scale, coping strategies questionnaire and depression anxiety stress scale were used to assess the study variables.

Results: The results found that significant other, family and friends support was negatively associated with depression, anxiety and stress, however, no relationship was found between friends support and anxiety. Self-efficacy and active-practical coping had negative, whereas, avoidance-focused coping had positive relationship with depression, anxiety and stress. Active-distractive coping was negatively and religious-focused coping was positively associated with depression. Mediation analyses revealed that self-efficacy mediated the effect of social support on depression, anxiety and stress, but no mediation was found between friends support and anxiety. Moreover, avoidance-focused coping mediated the link between social support and depression, as well as, between significant other support and anxiety.

Conclusion: Social support, self-efficacy, active-practical coping and active-distractive coping had significant negative associations with psychological distress. Hence, structured programs should be developed to enhance societal acceptance and to reduce the negative attitude of people towards infertility.