Volume 82, Issue 12 (March 2025)
Tehran Univ Med J 2025, 82(12): 925-931 |
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Baghaei Barjini S, Masoudi M, Pirdadeh Beiranvand S, Moieni A, Zare S. Study of stress and anxiety levels before embryo transfer in women candidates for intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Tehran Univ Med J 2025; 82 (12) :925-931
URL: http://tumj.tums.ac.ir/article-1-13451-en.html
URL: http://tumj.tums.ac.ir/article-1-13451-en.html
Saeideh Baghaei Barjini1 
, Mozhgan Masoudi2 , Soheila Pirdadeh Beiranvand *2 , Ashraf Moieni3 , Soodabeh Zare4
, Mozhgan Masoudi2 , Soheila Pirdadeh Beiranvand *2 , Ashraf Moieni3 , Soodabeh Zare4
1- Department of Midwifery, Student Research Committee, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran.
2- Department of Midwifery, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran.
3- Department of Gynecology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
4- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, School of Health and Nutrition, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran.
2- Department of Midwifery, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran.
3- Department of Gynecology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
4- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, School of Health and Nutrition, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran.
Abstract: (1134 Views)
Background: Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is one of the infertility treatments that may lead to various levels of stress and anxiety in women at different stages. Multiple factors may contribute to these psychological disorders. This study aimed to assess the levels of stress, anxiety, and depression before embryo transfer in women undergoing ICSI.
Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted from July to October 2024 on 70 women candidates for ICSI at Arash Women's Hospital in Tehran, prior to embryo transfer. Participants were selected through convenience sampling. Inclusion criteria included at least three years of infertility, no background in psychology or attendance in counseling sessions, no major physical or mental illnesses, and no severe stressful events in the past six months (such as the death of first-degree relatives or major accidents). Participants could withdraw from the study at any time. The DASS-21 (Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale) was used to assess stress and anxiety levels. Based on the DASS-21, stress scores of 0-14 were considered normal or mild, 15-18 mild, 19-25 moderate, 26-32 severe, and ≥33 very severe. For anxiety, scores of 0-7 were considered normal or mild, 8-9 mild, 10-14 moderate, 15-19 severe, and ≥20 very severe. The validity of the tool was confirmed by Antony and validated in Iran by Sahebi.
Results: Among the 70 participants, 92.8% experienced stress and anxiety. The mean stress score was 20.77±4.87, and the mean anxiety score was 11.70±4.23, indicating moderate levels. Women over 42 years old had significantly lower stress scores compared to others (P<0.001). Conversely, women under 30 showed significantly higher anxiety scores (P<0.01). No significant associations were found between stress/anxiety and other demographic or infertility-related factors (P>0.05).
Conclusion: The findings indicate that women undergoing embryo transfer in ICSI procedures commonly experience stress and anxiety. Therefore, appropriate psychological interventions are recommended to support this group during treatment.
Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted from July to October 2024 on 70 women candidates for ICSI at Arash Women's Hospital in Tehran, prior to embryo transfer. Participants were selected through convenience sampling. Inclusion criteria included at least three years of infertility, no background in psychology or attendance in counseling sessions, no major physical or mental illnesses, and no severe stressful events in the past six months (such as the death of first-degree relatives or major accidents). Participants could withdraw from the study at any time. The DASS-21 (Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale) was used to assess stress and anxiety levels. Based on the DASS-21, stress scores of 0-14 were considered normal or mild, 15-18 mild, 19-25 moderate, 26-32 severe, and ≥33 very severe. For anxiety, scores of 0-7 were considered normal or mild, 8-9 mild, 10-14 moderate, 15-19 severe, and ≥20 very severe. The validity of the tool was confirmed by Antony and validated in Iran by Sahebi.
Results: Among the 70 participants, 92.8% experienced stress and anxiety. The mean stress score was 20.77±4.87, and the mean anxiety score was 11.70±4.23, indicating moderate levels. Women over 42 years old had significantly lower stress scores compared to others (P<0.001). Conversely, women under 30 showed significantly higher anxiety scores (P<0.01). No significant associations were found between stress/anxiety and other demographic or infertility-related factors (P>0.05).
Conclusion: The findings indicate that women undergoing embryo transfer in ICSI procedures commonly experience stress and anxiety. Therefore, appropriate psychological interventions are recommended to support this group during treatment.
Type of Study: Original Article |
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