Autocriticismo como mediador entre o stress de infertilidade e a sintomatologia ansiosa e depressiva em mulheres

Micaela Alves; Susana Santos; Juliana Pedro

doi:10.31211/rpics.2023.9.2.307

Authors

Micaela Alves Universidade Portucalense Infante D. Henrique, Departamento de Psicologia e Educação https://orcid.org/0009-0008-0098-0922
Susana Santos Universidade Portucalense Infante D. Henrique, Instituto Portucalense de Psicologia (I2P) https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4196-061X
Juliana Pedro Universidade de Coimbra https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1959-4921

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31211/rpics.2023.9.2.307

Keywords:

Self-criticism, Female Infertility, Stress, Anxiety Symptoms, Depressive Symptoms, Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: To explore the mediating role of self-criticism in the relationship between infertility stress and symptoms of anxiety and depression in women diagnosed with an infertility diagnosis or trying to conceive for more than a year. Method: The study included 130 women aged 21 to 44, either diagnosed with infertility or attempting to conceive for over a year, recruited through a non-probabilistic method by self-selection. An online platform was used for the completion of self-report instruments to collect sociodemographic and clinical information and to assess infertility stress, self-criticism, and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Results: Mediational analysis showed that higher levels of infertility stress were associated with more symptoms of anxiety and depression, with this relationship being partially mediated by self-criticism. Conclusions: Infertility, as a stress inducer, can lead to critical internal dialogue, increasing the vulnerability to symptoms of anxiety and depression. Compassion-focused interventions may be beneficial for this population.

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References

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