ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, AND STRESS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN COUPLES WITH MALE AND FEMALE INFERTILITY

Objectives: Although infertility impacts both men and women nearly equally, women experiencing infertility often face more pressure and distress compared to men. This study aimed to compare the levels of anxiety, depression, and stress between couples dealing with male and female infertility. Study Design, Methodology & Population: In this descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study, 40 couples (n = 80) with male infertility and 40 couples (n = 80) with female infertility were referred to the infertility OPD of Seth GS Medical College and KEM hospital, Mumbai over a period of 10 months (Sept 23- May 24). Eligible infertile couples were selected by convenience sampling method. The data collection tool was a two-part questionnaire consisting of a demographic information form and a short form of the standard Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). Data analysis was carried out using descriptive and inferential statistical tests at a signicant level of p < 0.05. Results: The study found signicant differences in the severity of depression, anxiety, and stress between men and women experiencing infertility. Specically, 57.5% of infertile women had mild depression compared to 40% of infertile men who had moderate depression. Additionally, 42.5% of infertile women experienced moderate anxiety, whereas 57.5% of infertile men reported mild anxiety. Regarding stress, 37.5% of infertile women had severe stress, while only 40% of infertile men reported mild stress. Statistical analysis revealed signicant differences between infertile women and men in terms of depression (t=-4.213, df = 1619, p < 0.001), anxiety (t=-7.261, df = 2274, p < 0.001), and stress (t=-9.046, df = 2308, p < 0.001) levels, as well as their total scores (t=-7.709, df = 2315, p < 0.001). Moreover, depression, anxiety, and stress levels were higher in infertile women compared to healthy women with infertile partners, and this difference was statistically signicant (p < 0.01). Similarly, depression, anxiety, and stress levels were signicantly different between infertile men and healthy men with infertile wives (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The ndings of this study suggest that depression, anxiety, and stress were more common among infertile women compared to infertile men. Additionally, the severity levels of depression, anxiety, and stress in the partners of infertile men were higher than those in the spouses of infertile women.