Solovyeva E.V. The possibilities of psychotherapy in overcoming infertility: review of the article by L. Dube et al. “Efficacy of psychological interventions for mental health and pregnancy rates among individuals with infertility: a systematic review and meta-analysis”

An abstract translation of the first large systematic review and meta-analysis of publications describing the effect of psychological interventions on infertility-related distress and pregnancy rates among people overcoming infertility is presented in the article. The purposes of research are to study all available English-language randomized controlled trials (RCTs), evaluating the impact of psychotherapy on stress indicators and pregnancy rates after infertility, to determine the most effective psychotherapeutic approach and optimal treatment moderators and to explain the contradictory results of previously published studies. The review includes 58 RCTs published until 2022, which examined the feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of psychological interventions for individuals and couples planning or undergoing ART programs. The selected studies were conducted in different world regions (Europe, Asia, Middle East, USA, Africa), the total number of participants was 6876 people aged 19–45 years, an average duration of infertility treatment is 4.5 years. Psychological outcomes of interest included anxiety, depression, infertility-related distress and marital satisfaction. It is proved that in most world regions the effectiveness of psychological interventions in reducing infertility distress is small, but statistically significant; there is a positive effect of psychotherapy on the pregnancy rates in ART programs. These effects do not depend on the psychotherapeutic approach, therapy format and the gender of the participants. The necessity of a unified methodological approach in psychodiagnostics and psychotherapy of people overcoming infertility is emphasized. From a practical point of view psychological interventions should become more focused on life realities of people with infertility, whereas this period is associated with unique situations and choices. The article will be useful for perinatal psychologists, reproductive doctors and other specialists in the field of overcoming infertility.

Key words: infertility, pregnancy, assisted reproductive technologies (ART), in vitro fertilization (IVF), depression, anxiety, distress, psychological intervention, psychotherapy

For citation: Solovyeva, E.V. (2023). The possibilities of psychotherapy in overcoming infertility: review of the article by L. Dube et al. “Efficacy of psychological interventions for mental health and pregnancy rates among individuals with infertility: a systematic review and meta-analysis”, New Psychological Research, No. 1, 117–128. DOI: 10.51217/npsyresearch_2023_03_01_07