A Sectional Study: The Relationship between Perceived Social Support and Depression in Turkish Infertile Women

The family is the smallest union in society that is based on marriage and blood relation and involves relationships between wife, husband, children and siblings (1). The family is responsible for continuing the human race and raising generations appropriate for society’s expectations (2). Having a child is an expected and desired outcome of the conjugal community. As in all societies, marriage is associated with having a child in Turkish society. Therefore, almost all of the married couples or those who intend to get married plan on having a child (3-5). Not all couples, however, are easily able to have a child and may suffer from infertility.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines "infertility" as the failure of getting pregnant in spite of the couple having unprotected regular sexual intercourse for at least one year (6, 7). The worldwide infertility rate is between 8 and 12% and varies between 10 and 20% in Turkey (6, 8); however, this rate has increased in recent years. This increase is associated with numerous factors such as the change in traditional roles or late marriage and couples’ plans for children. There have also been increases in assisted reproductive techniques, greater access and use of infertility centres, as well as inclusion of infertility diagnosis and treatment in health insurance. From a social perspective, there has been increased accessibility of contraceptive methods; increased social acceptability of infertility; changes in use of alcohol, smoking, and substance abuse; changes in dietary habits, and increased stress and sexually transmitted diseases (7-13).

The effects of infertility on individuals’ emotions are complicated and these effects vary based on the duration of infertility, individuals’ capacities for adaptation, reasons and prognosis of infertility, and emotional and social supports (14-16). Infertility not just a situation about the function of reproduction it also appears as a potential crisis causing social and psychological exposure (17-20). It is estimated that almost 86.8% of infertile women have anxiety and 40.8% have depression. Infertility is a complex life crisis that adversely affects the couples’ social lives, emotional conditions, marriage relations, sex lives, future plans, self-esteem and body images. Infertility should be considered as a bio-psychosocial crisis requiring psychological counselling, which is an integral part of a multidimensional solution (21). Some studies have reported a decrease in the level of depression, anxiety, mental distress, marital violence, and increased rate of pregnancy following psychosocial interventions (14, 22-26). Likewise, infertility treatment is expensive in terms of economy, stressful in terms of emotions and a physically painful process, all of which require adjustment within the couple. Infertile couples might subsequently develop guilt, a sense of worthlessness and depression (2, 19, 20).

Social support, which is a source of coping, is of great importance for the infertile woman to help preserve her physical and mental health. Social support is a valuable coping method that contributes to love, affection, confidence, self-expression, self-knowledge and sense of belonging. Even if it cannot eliminate the stressful situation, it enables individuals to be more optimistic by decreasing their levels of anxiety. It helps individuals in coping with challenging situations and generating new solutions, and decreasing their desperation (4, 27, 28).

Infertility is a condition adversely affecting the woman in terms of biologic, psychological and social aspects. Thus, midwives/nurses who are assigned to support couples in the infertility diagnosis and treatment process have great responsibilities. Infertility nursing is a process that starts in the polyclinic and extends to the operating room; it prioritises psychological and social conditions of couples and includes care during all kinds of medical and surgical treatments (29). During the process of infertility, the general purpose of care is to evaluate the physical, psychological, and social conditions of couples; to determine problems and needs in this field; and thus to provide convenient consultancy and training services (30). The consultancy to be provided to infertile women will positively affect their social support, success of the treatment, and women’s health in the solution of problems.

Based on these important benefits, this study was conducted to determine the relationship between perceived social support and depression in infertile women.

This descriptive and sectional study was conducted in the IVF Centre of a university hospital in the city centre of Elazig (Turkey) between 16 April 2012 and 31 October 2012. The centre where study data were collected was selected because it is the largest unit in the province of Elazýg and renders services to women from surrounding cities and with diverse socio-cultural features.

The population of the study consisted of women who applied to the IVF Centre of Firat University Research Hospital for infertility treatment. The study sample group comprised 238 women who applied to the relevant centre for infertility treatment between the specified dates.

The number of infertile women who accessed the relevant centre for in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment each year is not known, since the required statistical records have been not regularly kept. Therefore, a sampling formula was used in this situation where the number of elements in the population was not known in order to calculate the minimum sample size required for inclusion in the study. This formula is as follows (31, 32):

The number of participants calculated as representing the population was at least 196 individuals. Those women who met the sample criteria and accepted to participate in the study within the period when the researcher was present in the centre were included in the study until the minimum number (196) was attained. This number was reached within 4.5 months. Considering that data loss may occur during the data collection process, the sample size was extended to a total of 238 individuals. The inclusion criteria of the sample group were that women were literate, had been diagnosed with infertility and in the process of having treatment, and they had no serious medical history that threatened life and did not receive treatment because of this reason. The exclusion criteria of the sample group were being not literate, and having a serious medical history.

Table 1 and table 2 illustrate descriptive characteristics of women included in the study. Table 2 illustrates the distribution of women’s infertility features and the women’s opinions on infertility.

Table 3 illustrates the distribution of lowest and highest scores obtained from the BDI and MSPSS, along with the women’s mean scores. The women’s total mean score on the BDI was 12.55 ± 8.07. Scores obtained by women on the MSPSS was 15.75 ± 8.53 for the subscale of friend, 21.52 ± 8.20 for the subscale of family, and 15.62 ± 8.45 for the subscale of significant others. The women’s total MSPSS score was 52.89 ± 21.75.

Table 4 illustrates the relationship between BDI with subscale mean scores and total mean scores of the MSPSS. A statistically negative significant relationship is determined between the score of the subscale "friend" in MSPSS and the total score of BDI at the level of p<0.01. There is a statistically negative significant relationship between the score of the subscale "family" in the MSPSS and the total score of BDI at the level of p<0.01. A statistically negative significant relationship was found between the score of the subscale "significant other" in the MSPSS and the total score of the BDI at the level of p<0.01.

According to these results, a statistically negative significant relationship was determined between the scales (r:-0.596, p<0.01). In other words, it was observed that as the women’s perceived social support increases, the symptoms of depression decrease.

Table 5 illustrates some of the women’s socio-demographic characteristics and the comparison of mean scores of the scales of the BDI and MSPSS. No statistically significant difference was determined between the women’s remaining features, except for the mean scores of the BDI according to the women’s educational and income status. The difference between women’s working condition, marriage duration and elapsed time following the diagnosis of infertility and their total mean scores of MSPSS was found to be statistically significant (p<0.05).

Diagnosis and treatment approaches used for infertile couples may hinder their coping skills and social support resources; consume their physical and emotional energy; cause sexual dysfunctions, depression, anxiety, and loneliness; and damage the couple’s relationship (14, 26, 33-36). The results obtained from this study, conducted in order to determine the relationship between the perceived social support and depression in infertile women, are discussed in line with the relevant literature.

Examining the women’s mean scores from the MSPSS and BDI (Table 3) determined that their BDI mean score was lower. This result is similar to that found in other studies where the mean score of depression is low (3, 14, 27, 31, 42-44). In the study conducted by Gurbuz, the women’s mean score of depression was 21.11 ± 5.74. We determined that the women’s total mean score on the MSPSS was close to the highest score that could be obtained from the scale where the highest perceived social support was from subscales "family", "friend" and "significant other", respectively (34). In Kus’s study, the subscale mean scores and total mean scores of MSPSS also showed a similarity with the results of this study (4). A controlled study conducted by Upkong and Orji with 208 women in Nigeria revealed that receiving no support from the husband increased women’s depression and anxiety scores (45). Similarly, in the study conducted by Matsubayashi et al. (44) with 101 infertile women in Japan, the researchers determined that women’s anxiety and depression levels were very high and this was associated with lack of support from their husbands. In the light of such information, it could be stated that when social support meets individuals’ expectations, especially the support of family, it enables individuals to cope with life’s problems by showing a positive effect in terms of morale and coping.

After examining the relationship between the BDI total score with subscale mean scores and total mean scores of MSPSS shown in table 4, a statistically negative significant relationship was found between the scales at the level of p<0.01. It was determined that as the women’s perceived social support increases, symptoms of depression decrease. Social support is a predictive factor for depression (43). The studies conducted with infertile women concluded that lack of social support caused a higher rate of anxiety and depression symptoms in infertile women (43-45). It is also reported that the lack of husband and his family’s support results in the deterioration of mental health and depression (15, 45).

On examination of the BDI mean scores and educational status of women according to some of their features shown in table 5, it was observed that those with a high educational level (university graduate) had fewer symptoms of depression. As the educational level increases, it becomes easier for women to have a better economic status, social security and access to knowledge. Women who have access to full information might experience less worry, obscurity, and anxiety. Thus, it is possible to assert that women with higher educational levels have lower BDI scores. In the study conducted by Pinar, women’s mean score of depression was 26.79 ± 10.90 (26).

Considering the income status of women, it is thought that those with a lower income status have a higher BDI mean score; in other words, those with a poor income status are negatively affected in terms of experiencing depression. In line with result of this study, there are some studies asserting that as the income status increases, the level of depression decreases (3, 4, 6, 26).

Examining the women’s MSPSS mean scores also showed that the difference between women’s working conditions with total mean score of MSPSS and mean score of its subscale "family" was found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). As the women’s educational level increases, they are enabled to have a regular job and income; access positive information, attitudes and behaviours in terms of health; and also ensure their families attain positive information, attitudes and behaviours on this subject; it could, therefore, be asserted that the women’s perception of social support is also affected positively.

The difference between marriage duration of women with total mean score of the MSPSS and mean score of its subscale "friend" was found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). As the marriage age increases, the perceived social support decreases-similar results were also found in the study conducted by Eren (27).

The difference between women’s infertility periods and total mean scores of the MSPSS was found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). Similarly, Kus’s study also observed that the difference between the elapsed time following the diagnosis of infertility and total mean scores of MSPSS was statistically significant (4).

In consequence of this study, it is observed that as the women’s perceived social support decreases, their mean scores of depression increase. The recommendations made in line with results of the study are:

Informing midwives and nurses about the problems experienced by infertile women and interventions aimed at these problems through in-service training programs is important.

Enabling midwives and nurses to examine the social support mechanisms of women diagnosed with infertility, helping them to use the support involved in family and other social support systems positively, as well as making interventions that strengthen the social support systems of individuals with insufficient support, will improve overall care outcomes.

Evaluating the infertile woman both gynaecologically and psychologically, and providing her with contact with a psychologist or psychiatrist when required, can improve psychological health.Infertile women would benefit from close follow up in terms of depression risk.

By conducting comparative studies in groups where pregnancy is achieved or not achieved as a result of the treatment would help to determine the explicit effect of the perceived social support on depression in infertile women.