Date of Award

2022

Document Type

Project

College/School

College of Nursing

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Project Mentor

Lisa Abel

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine and evaluate the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress in women undergoing infertility treatment at a fertility clinic. To evaluate for a potential relationship between the intervention (in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment) and its effects on the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress. The goal is to increase provider awareness of changes in depression, anxiety, and stress levels that occur throughout treatment cycles.

Design: Sixteen women receiving medical treatment for infertility participated in the study from the Fertility and Endocrine Associates in Louisville, KY. The project was a quasi-experimental study with the purpose of comparing depression, anxiety, and stress screening scores of women pre- and post-IVF treatment while using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21) tool to measure the data collected.

Results: Depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms were found in women undergoing IVF. Women showed a higher level of anxiety and stress at the beginning of IVF treatment in comparison to after treatment. Levels of depression were higher after treatment when compared to before treatment levels.

Conclusion: Infertility providers need to be aware that their patients undergoing fertility treatments often experience increased levels of depression, anxiety, and stress compared to patients not seeking fertility treatments. It is essential and recommended that those who offer infertility services, screen and monitor for physical, mental and environmental health changes, while providing coping tools and resources so their patients are able to mitigate and manage their levels of depression, anxiety, and stress alongside the support of their providers.

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