The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Based Cognitive Group Therapy (MBCT) on Improving Perceived Infertility-Related Stress and Irrational Parenthood Cognitions among Infertile Women Undergoing IVF Treatment

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 M.Sc. of Family Counseling, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Allameh Tabatabaei University, Tehran, Iran.

2 Professor of Counseling and Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Allameh Tabatabaei University, Tehran, Iran.

3 Associate Professor of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Payam Noor University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.

4 Ph.D. of Assessment and Measurement, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Allameh Tabatabaei University, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Introduction: Infertility is a major crisis in life which may cause stress and subsequent formation of irrational cognitions about childbearing in infertile women. Mindfulness Based Cognitive group Therapy (MBCT) is a form of psychotherapy based on cognitive, behavioral, and metacognitive strategies that assists the reduction of stress and irrational cognitions of involved individuals. This study sets out to investigate the effectiveness of MBCT on improving perceived Infertility-related stress and irrational parenthood cognitions among infertile women undergoing In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatment.
Methods: This clinical trial with pretest, post-test design was held on infertile women referred to Valiasr Reproductive Health Research Center undergoing IVF treatment in 2011. 24 infertile women who had gained high scores in irrational parenthood cognitions questionnaire and fertility problem inventory, were selected by the means of available sampling method and randomly assigned in two experimental (12 persons) and control groups (12 persons). The experimental group received 8 sessions of two hours MBCT training. The control group did not receive any mental health services. Questionnaires were completed by both experimental and control groups before and after the intervention. Collected data were analyzed by using statistical software SPSS version 17, multivariate and univariate analysis of covariance. P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: There was significant differences in terms of reduction of perceived infertility-related stress in experiment and control groups (P<0.001), as well as, improvement of irrational cognitions for child bearing (P<0.001).
Conclusion: MBCT training has positive effect on improving perceived Infertility-related stress and irrational parenthood cognitions among infertile women undergoing IVF treatment.

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