Perceptions of the Covid-19 Pandemic among Women with Infertility

Correlations with Dispositional Optimism

Bibliographic Data

ID15465680
AuthorsAmanda J Dillard (0000-0002-1946-6420, Grand Valley State University, corresponding author), Ava E Weber (0000-0002-0122-9689, Grand Valley State University), Amanda Chassee (Reproductive Genomics Program, The Fertility Center, Grand Rapids, MI 49525, USA), Mili Thakur (0000-0003-3281-7085, Spectrum Health)
Year2022
Volume19
Issue5
Pages2577-2577
Publication date2022-02-23
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph19052577
PMID35270268
OpenAlexW4213072790
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited38

People who are more optimistic may experience better psychological health during stressful times. The present study examined the perceptions and emotions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic among American women who were experiencing fertility problems. We tested if dispositional optimism in these women was associated with less negative perceptions and emotions. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of patients from a single private infertility and reproductive clinic in an urban area in the Midwest, United States. Women, age 18 or older, primarily White and educated, who presented for an appointment to the clinic were invited to participate in an email-based survey. Respondents ( N = 304) reported their perceived impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on fertility treatment, emotions associated with this impact, and perceived stress and depressive symptoms. They also completed measures of dispositional optimism and expectations for a future pregnancy. Findings indicated that women perceived an overall negative impact of the pandemic on their treatment plans, which was associated with more negative emotions, lower expectations of future pregnancy, and greater stress and depressive symptoms during the pandemic. However, further correlational analyses revealed that being higher in trait optimism was associated with perceiving a less negative impact of the pandemic, experiencing fewer negative emotions, and less overall stress and depressive symptoms. Although women with fertility problems have perceived the pandemic as negative and disruptive, those who are higher in optimism may be less affected

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 · Cross-sectional study · Disease · Environmental health · Fertility · Infertility · Optimism · Pandemic · Population · Pregnancy · Clinical Psychology · COVID-19 Impact on Reproduction · Medicine · Optimism, Hope, and Well-being · Psychology · Reproductive Health and Technologies · Social Psychology

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