Male support, depression, and anxiety in couples undergoing assisted reproductive technologies: a dyadic approach

Engagement in Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) represents a significant source of stress for infertile couples, particularly for females/women undergoing these techniques, which may exacerbate their mental health and the quality of the marital relationship. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between male partner support in matters related to ART or the pursuit of pregnancy, concerns regarding the impact of infertility on the relationship, and symptoms of anxiety and depression in couples undergoing ART. Path analyses were conducted using the AMOS structural modeling software, applying an Actor-Partner Interdependence Mediation Model analysis. This approach estimates both the effect of an individual's variable on their own outcome (actor effect) and the effect of the same variable from the perspective of their partner (partner effect) on two outcome variables: symptoms of anxiety and depression. Additionally, analyses of indirect effects between variables were included. The final study sample comprised 96 individuals (48 dyads) from the assisted human reproduction unit of a Spanish hospital. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), two ad hoc items assessing perceived support from the male partner to the female partner, and the subscale Concern about the relationship (Fertility Problem Inventory) were used. The results revealed the presence of actor, partner, and indirect effects in males/men, with both self-reported male support and concerns about the relationship predicting symptoms of anxiety and depression. In females/women, only an actor effect was observed: a lower perceived level of male support was associated with greater concern about the marital relationship. These findings highlight the need for interventions that address both male support (self-reported and partner-perceived) and relationship concerns within psychological care programs for individuals undergoing ART.