Current psychological symptoms and emotional distress in women undergoing IVF-ET: An investigation and correlation analysis of medical care, family care and social support

In vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) is a complex and emotionally demanding treatment associated with significant psychological distress among infertile women. This distress may adversely affect treatment adherence and reproductive outcomes. To investigate the levels of psychological distress and medical coping modes in women undergoing IVF-ET, and to investigate the influence of marital quality, family support and social assistance on the mitigation of distress. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 424 infertile women receiving IVF-ET treatment at a reproductive medicine center in Shenzhen. Validated questionnaires were used to assess psychological distress, medical coping modes, marital satisfaction, family support and social network support. Median scores and interquartile ranges were calculated for key variables. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients were then computed to evaluate associations between psychological distress and other factors. The median score of psychological distress was 61.00 (inter-quartile range [IQR]: 53.00–75.25). With regards to modes of medical coping, the median scores for confrontation, avoidance and submission dimensions were 20.40 (IQR: 13.44–27.36), 15.20 (IQR: 10.02–20.38), and 11.45 (IQR: 6.92–15.98), respectively. The median scores for marital quality, family support, and social support were 42.00 (IQR: 31.00–42.00), 13.00 (IQR: 10.00–15.00), and 38.12 (IQR: 29.13–47.11), respectively. Spearman’s correlation analysis revealed that psychological distress was positively correlated with the stress scores (r = 0.21, p < 0.001), confrontation (r = 0.28, p < 0.001), avoidance (r = 0.42, p < 0.001) and submission (r = 0.42, p < 0.001) dimensions of medical coping styles. In contrast, psychological distress was negatively correlated with marital quality (r = -0.39, p < 0.001), family support (r = -0.25, p < 0.001), and social support (r = -0.41, p < 0.001). Women undergoing IVF-ET experienced considerable psychological burden in a manner that was modulated by interpersonal and social support systems. Marital, familial and social support play protective roles in mitigating distress. Our findings support the development of spousal-involved and phase-specific interventions to address modifiable psychosocial factors during IVF-ET. Future studies should focus on validating targeted coping strategies, creating personalized patient profiles, and implementing real-time and evidence-based supportive interventions to improve both mental health and clinical outcomes.