ISSN:
1573-3572
Keywords:
coping
;
stress
;
infertility
;
women's health
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Women experiencing infertility, pregnancy, medical gynecological problems, or annual checkups were assessed for primary appraisal of their stressor and types of coping strategies used. Diagnostic category approximated the subjective appraisal of stressor for pregnant (challenge) and checkup (no stress) groups. Most participants in the medical gynecological problems group appraised their stress as a threat, but a few participants chose other appraisal categories. Infertility was associated with two categories of appraisal—loss and challenge. Participants appraising their stressor as a loss made greater use of the coping strategies of Action, Wishful Thinking, and Fatalism than did women appraising their stressor as a challenge, a threat, or not stressful. Women appraising infertility as challenge were less distressed than women in any other group. The bimodal perception of infertility has implications for treating women who seek psychological help.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1026238530050
