Relationship of Self-Compassion with Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms in Infertile Women

Purpose: Infertile women have a higher rate of psychiatric symptoms compared to fertile women. Depression and anxiety are among the most common psychiatric disorders in this group. Self-compassion might be a variable in predicting depression, anxiety and stress in infertile women and thus more research is required. Methods: This study included a total number of 122 participants. The study group (n=50) consisted women who applied to the gynaecology and obstetrics clinic for infertility treatment. The control group (n=72) was recruited from hospital staff and their relatives, of the similar age and gender as the study group. The participants filled Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) in addition to sociodemographic data form. Results: The mean age of the study and control group were 31.50±5.104 and 31.86±7.681 years, respectively. The mean duration of infertility treatment in the study group was 5.48±5.023 months. SCS scores were significantly lower, and HADS scores (both depression and anxiety) were significantly higher in the study group, compared to the control group. There was a negative correlation between SCS and HADS scores (p < 0.001), indicating that lower self-compassion levels are associated with increased depression and anxiety. Duration of infertility treatment was not correlated with SCS and HADS scores (p > 0.05). Conclusion: It is crucial to screen infertile women for psychiatric symptoms, especially anxiety and depression. Patients with these symptoms should be referred to a mental health professional. Interventions targeting psychological well-being of infertile women are fundamental. Self-compassion is an influential factor in maintaining psychological well-being and preventing anxiety and depressive symptoms in infertile women.