Mental Health and its Relationship Whit Perceived Social Support in Infertile Couples referring to Infertility Center of Alzahra Hospital, 2012 -2013.

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction and aims: Infertility is a stressful event for infertile persons and Couples react against it in the form of anxiety, depression, physical symptoms and performance reduction and social support as a protective factor can has a significant impact on health and social functioning. According to importance of childbearing in Iran, the present study has been carried out with the aim of determining mental health status, perceived social support and their in infertile couples referring to infertility Center of Tabriz Alzahra Hospital, 2012-2013. Method: This cross –sectional study was conducted on 345 infertile couples referring to Infertility Center of Tabriz, Alzahra Hospital. The sampling method was convenience. The data were collected using socio –demographic, Goldberg mental health and perceived social support questionnaires. For analyzing data, descriptive statistics including absolute and relative frequency distributions and indicators of central tendency such as mean, standard deviation and inferential statistics including Pearson, T test, ANOVA and multiple linear regression were used. Results: The mean (standard deviation) total score of mental health in men and women was respectively, 29.7(11.5) and 24.4(10.3). The highest mean score for infertile couples was the sub domain of social dysfunction and the lowest mean score was in the depression sub domain. The mean (SD) total score of perceived social support in men and women was respectively, 42.2(8.4) and 39.8(9.1) and infertile couples were perceived most social support from family and less support from their friends. Also, there was a significant negative correlation between mental health and perceived social support from family in women and between perceived social support and all dimensions of mental health in men. The results of multivariate linear regression analysis showed that, there was a significant relation between perceived social support from families and total score of mental health in women and this variable explained 2% of the variance observed in the mental health status of the women Perceived social support from family, the cause of infertility, education and adequacy of family income for living expenses were predictors of mental health in men and could explain 11% of the variance in their scores. Discussion and Conclusion: The results showed that women had worse mental health and better perceived social support than men and in addition, perceived social support from family as the most important predictor of mental health in infertile couples, some personal information were predictors of mental health in men. Therefore, strengthening social support from family and intimate relationships with respect that promote a sense of social support and mental health is recommended.