Design of Conceptual Model of Psycho-Social Burden in Infertile Couples Undergoing Assisted Reproductive Treatments: A Study Protocol for a Mixed Method Study

Background and Aims

The multifaceted consequences of infertility impose a significant psycho-social burden on the couples involved and necessitate design a valid conceptual model to identify them. Therefore, this study aimed to design of conceptual model of psycho-social burden in infertile couples undergoing assisted reproductive treatments.

Methods

This study will be conducted in four phases using a mixed method and the sequential exploratory approach. In the first phase, a qualitative study will be carried out through the content analysis approach with the aim of identifying the components of psycho-social burden in infertile couples who are candidates for assisted reproduction treatment (ART). In the second phase the initial version of the infertility psycho-social burden questionnaire will be compiled. Face and content validity will be evaluated quantitatively and qualitatively. In the third phase, a cross-sectional study will be conducted on 150 infertile couples who are candidates for ART in Isfahan, Iran. The construct validity of the prepared questionnaire will be evaluated using exploratory factor analysis with varimax rotation. After psychometrics evaluation of the infertility psycho-social burden questionnaire, sampling will continue on 150 couples. Participants' mental health will be evaluated using the 28-item general health questionnaire, and its correlation with the extracted psycho-social burden components will be evaluated. Based on the results of the third step, in the fourth phase, a conceptual model of psycho-social burden will be designed and confirmatory factor analysis of the conceptual model will be performed.

Conclusion

Extracted conceptual models will assist psychological counselors, social workers, and psychoanalysts in gaining an in-depth understanding of the factors affecting the mental health of infertile couples. Moreover, the psychosocial burden of the infertility scale can be presented as a screening tool for couples at risk of psychological issues related to infertility.