Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between in fertility stress and depression of infertile women and to measure the quality of life of infertile women. Methods: The subjects consisted of 194 infertile women in 5 Infertile Clinic and 3 Infertile Cafe in B and D cities from December 6, 2005 to April 10, 2006. Data were analyzed by using SPSS WIN 10.0 Results: There were statistically significant difference in the quality of life on many variables such as age, material period, education, occupation, religion, monthly family incomes, family type, treatment period for infertility, treatment method for infertility, ovulation induction method, pressure of treatment cost, treatment phase, abortion experience, charge group, and support group. The negative correlation was revealed between infertility stress and the quality of life (r=-0.63, p<0.01). The negative correlation was revealed between depression and the quality of life (r=-0.59, p<0.01). The predictors of the Quality of Life were depression, infertility stress, age, education, pressure of treatment cost, and abortion experience. These variables explained 57% of total variance of quality of life. Conclusions: For the management of infertility stress, it may require not only the control of the infertility women's depression but also consider the known stress factors such a pressure of treatment cost. It is necessary to develop counseling program and systemic nursing plan.

Keywords

• quality of life;
• depression;
• infertility stress