Effect of Perceived Social Support on Life Satisfaction in Infertile Women Undergoing Treatment: Mediating Role of Positive Thoughts

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of psychology, Islamic Azad University, Bandarabbas Branch, Bandarabbas, Iran

2 Department of Psychology, Payam Noor University, Astana Ashrafieh Branch, Rasht, Iran

3 Department of counseling, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

4 Department of psychology, International lmam Khomeini University, Ghazvin, Iran

5 Department of Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Bandargaz Branch, Bandargaz, Iran

Abstract

Background: Infertility is a prevalent issue among humans, which can lead to negative psychological consequences for couples.
 
Objectives: This study aimed to explore how perceived social support impacts the life satisfaction of infertile women who are undergoing treatment, with positive thoughts playing a mediating role. 
 
Methods: This study was part of a descriptive-correlational study and utilized the cross-sectional research method and structural equation modeling. The target population for this study consisted of all infertile women receiving treatment in Tehran who had sought assistance from infertility treatment centers between July and November 2023. The selected sample size included 178 medically treated infertile women chosen through purposive sampling. The assessment tools were the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, and the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire-Positive (ATQ-P). Descriptive statistics were conducted using SPSS software (version 27), and the path between variables was analyzed using SmartPLS software (version 4).
 
Results: According to the results, social support had a significantly positive effect on life satisfaction (β=0.165, P=0.001). Similarly, social support had a significantly positive impact on positive thoughts (β=0.488, P<0.001). The findings also indicated that positive thoughts played a crucial role as a mediating variable in life satisfaction, showing a positive and significant effect (β=0.585, P<0.001).
 
Conclusion: The findings of the current study indicate that social support positively affects both life satisfaction and positive thoughts. Additionally, positive thoughts, when acting as an intermediary variable, can enhance life satisfaction. 

Keywords


Open Access Policy: This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. To view a copy of this licence, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

1. Mohamed HM, Badia TS, Khalaf SA, Abdullah SO, Farghaly TA, Fetih AN, Aly SE. Effect of health education program on knowledge, stress, and satisfaction among infertile women undergoing in vitro fertilization injection. Middle East Fertil. Soc. J. 2024 Jan 2;29(1):1. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43043-023-00160-8
https://doi.org/10.1186/s43043-023-00160-8
 
2. Abu-Sharkia S, Taubman-Ben-Ari O, Mofareh A. Personal Growth and Life Satisfaction during Fertility Treatment-A Comparison between Arab and Jewish Women. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Jan 25;20(3):2187. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20032187 .[PubMed: 36767553].
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032187
PMid:36767553 PMCid:PMC9915886
 
3. Soleimani R, Ansari F, Hamzehgardeshi Z, Elyasi F, Moosazadeh M, Yazdani F, Shahidi M, Shiraghaei N, Karimi M, Hemati T, Pejmanmanesh M. Perceived stress reduction through an infertility coaching program: a randomized controlled clinical trial. Sci Rep. 2023 Sep 4;13(1):14511. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-41845-4 .[PubMed: 37666933].
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-41845-4
PMid:37666933 PMCid:PMC10477300
 
4. Khalaf HM, Nijris ON, Hatem AM. Betalipotropin, subfatin and number of hormonal and biochemical variables in infertile women: Women Infertility Biochemical
 
Basis. Int. J. Med. Sci. 2024 Jan 1;7(1):1-8. https://isnra.net/index.php/ijms/article/view/1077
 
5. Wang X, Zhang S, Yan H, Ma Z, Zhang Y, Luo H, Yang X. Association of exposure to ozone and fine particulate matter with ovarian reserve among women with infertility. Environ Pollut. 2024 Jan 1;340(Pt 1):122845. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122845 .[PubMed: 37926414].
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122845
PMid:37926414
 
6. Kiesswetter M, Danay E, Duschek S. Life satisfaction in parents after successful in vitro fertilization and natural pregnancy: a prospective longitudinal study from before pregnancy to 24 months after childbirth. Hum Fertil (Camb). 2023 Dec 18:1-13. doi: 10.1080/14647273.2023.2292596 .[PubMed: 38108238].
https://doi.org/10.1080/14647273.2023.2292596
PMid:38108238
 
7. Xie Y, Ren Y, Niu C, Zheng Y, Yu P, Li L. The impact of stigma on mental health and quality of life of infertile women: A systematic review. Front Psychol. 2023 Jan 9;13:1093459. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1093459.[PubMed: 36698573].
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1093459
PMid:36698573 PMCid:PMC9869765
 
8. Herbertz FV, Zimmermann T. Differences between Germans in the 'Young','Adult', and 'Over-40s' Age Groups
 
Regarding Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety and Satisfaction with Life. Psych. 2024 Mar;6(1):89-99. https://doi.org/10.3390/psych6010005
https://doi.org/10.3390/psych6010005
 
9. Çetinçay DD, Oskay Ü. Infertility-related stress, life satisfaction, and coping attitudes in Turkish infertile women: a cross-sectional study. Reprod. Biomed. Online. 2023 Nov 1;47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rbmo.2023.103555
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rbmo.2023.103555
 
10. Chu X, Geng Y, Zhang R, Guo W. Perceived Social Support and Life Satisfaction in Infertile Women Undergoing Treatment: A Moderated Mediation Model. Front Psychol. 2021 May 28;12:651612. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.651612 .[PubMed: 34122236].
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.651612
PMid:34122236 PMCid:PMC8194393
 
11. Lindell Pettersson M, Sydsjö G, Lampic C, Skoog Svanberg A, Elenis E. Perceived social support in solo women seeking treatment with donor gametes and in women in heterosexual couples seeking IVF-treatment with own gametes. Sci Rep. 2023 Feb 15;13(1):2733. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-29441-y .[PubMed: 36792663].
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-29441-y
PMid:36792663 PMCid:PMC9931690
 
12. Kiesswetter M, Marsoner H, Luehwink A, Fistarol M, Mahlknecht A, Duschek S. Impairments in life satisfaction in infertility: Associations with perceived stress, affectivity, partnership quality, social support and the desire to have a child. Behav Med. 2020 Apr-Jun;46(2):130-141. doi: 10.1080/08964289.2018.1564897.[PubMed: 30726170].
https://doi.org/10.1080/08964289.2018.1564897
PMid:30726170
 
13. Ozan YD, Duman M. Relationships between the perceived social support and adjustment to infertility in women with unsuccessful infertility treatments, Turkey-2017. JNMS. 2020 Apr 1;7(2):99. https://orcid.org/ 0000 0001 9825 5893
https://doi.org/10.4103/JNMS.JNMS_50_19
 
14. Nagórska M, Lesińska-Sawicka M, Obrzut B, Ulman D, Darmochwał-Kolarz D, Zych B. Health Related Behaviors and Life Satisfaction in Patients Undergoing Infertility Treatment. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Jul 27;19(15):9188. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19159188 .[PubMed: 35954545].
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19159188
PMid:35954545 PMCid:PMC9367928
 
15. Taherkhani Z, Kaveh MH, Mani A, Ghahremani L, Khademi K. The effect of positive thinking on resilience and life satisfaction of older adults: a randomized controlled trial. Sci Rep. 2023 Mar 1;13(1):3478. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-30684-y .[PubMed: 36859479].
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-30684-y
PMid:36859479 PMCid:PMC9977771
 
16. Nakhaei S, Aminisefat F, Safaei Majd M, Imankhah R. Investigating the relationship between positive thoughts with self-confidence and active learning. New Ideas Psychol. 2022 Sep 10;13(17):1-0. https://jnip.ir/article-1-732-fa.html
 
17. Shahi Senobari S, Moeenizadeh M, Aghamohammadian Sharbaf HR, Noferesti A. Investigating the Effectiveness of teaching the positive thinking based on belief to good on Life Satisfaction and Hope of infertile women. Mod. Psychol. Stud. 2022 Aug 23;17(66):189-97. 10.22034/jmpr.2022.15279
 
18. Diao C, Tan H, Wen Y, Zhu R, Wu X, Zhang S, Zhao Y, Liu N, Zhou X, Hu Z. Emotions, COVID-19 related thoughts and satisfaction with life during the critical period from control to relaxation. Front Psychol. 2023 Sep 19;14:1211614. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1211614.[PubMed: 37794904].
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1211614
PMid:37794904 PMCid:PMC10546036
 
19. Loehlin JC, Beaujean AA. Latent Variable Models: An Introduction to Factor, Path, and Structural Equation Analysis, Fifth Edition (5th ed.). Routledge. 2017. doi: 10.4324/9781315643199
https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315643199
PMCid:PMC4889415
 
20. Dahlem NW, Zimet GD, Walker RR. The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support: a confirmation study. J Clin Psychol. 1991 Nov;47(6):756-61. doi: 10.1002/1097-4679(199111)47:6<756::aid-jclp2270470605>3.0.co;2-l .[PubMed: 1757578].
https://doi.org/10.1002/1097-4679(199111)47:6<756::AID-JCLP2270470605>3.0.CO;2-L
PMid:1757578
 
21. Bagherian-Sararoudi R, Hajian A, Ehsan HB, Sarafraz MR, Zimet GD. Psychometric properties of the persian version of the multidimensional scale of perceived social
 
support in iran. Int J Prev Med. 2013. Nov;4(11):1277. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24404362/.[PubMed: 1757578].
 
22. Diener E, Emmons RA, Larsen RJ, Griffin S. The Satisfaction With Life Scale. J Pers Assess. 1985 Feb;49(1):71-5. doi: 10.1207/s15327752jpa4901_13.[PubMed: 16367493].
https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327752jpa4901_13
PMid:16367493
 
23. Bayani AA, Koocheky AM, Goodarzi H. The reliability and validity of the satisfaction with life scale. https://jip.stb.iau.ir/article_512406_en.html.
 
24. Ingram RE, Wisnicki KS. Assessment of positive automatic cognition. J Consult Clin Psychol. 1988 Dec;56(6):898-902. doi: 10.1037//0022-006x.56.6.898 .[PubMed: 3204200].
https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-006X.56.6.898
PMid:3204200
 
25. Afkhami N, Tajafari M, Nowkarizi M, Asghari Nekah SM. Positive Thinking of Librarians of Mashhad Public Libraries and Its Effect on Their Communication Skills. Libr Inf Sci Res. 2021 Dec 22;11(2):153-70. 10.22067/infosci.2021.23563.0
 
26. Novara C, Martos-Mendez MJ, Gómez-Jacinto L, Hombrados-Mendieta I, Varveri L, Polizzi C. The influence of social support on the wellbeing of immigrants residing in Italy: Sources and functions as predictive factors for life satisfaction levels, sense of community and resilience. Int J Intercult Relat. 2023 Jan 1;92:101743. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2022.101743
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2022.101743
 
27. Gillman JC, Turner MJ, Slater MJ. The role of social support and social identification on challenge and threat cognitive appraisals, perceived stress, and life satisfaction in workplace employees. PLoS One. 2023 Jul 12;18(7):e0288563. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288563 .[PubMed: 37437025].
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0288563
PMid:37437025 PMCid:PMC10337949
 
28. Dikilitaş KK, Sanberk İS, ÇOLAKKADIOĞLU O. The Relationship Between Life Satisfaction And Perceived Social Support In The Single Parent Adolescents. IJOEEC. 2023;8(24):2921-40. http://dx.doi.org/10.35826/ijoecc.1809
https://doi.org/10.35826/ijoecc.1809
 
29. Wilson JM, Weiss A, Shook NJ. Mindfulness, self-compassion, and savoring: Factors that explain the relation between perceived social support and well-being. Pers. Individ. Differ. 2020 Jan 1;152:109568. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2019.109568
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2019.109568
 
30. Özmete E, Pak M. The Relationship between Anxiety Levels and Perceived Social Support during the Pandemic of COVID-19 in Turkey. Soc Work Public Health. 2020 Sep 1;35(7):603-616. doi: 10.1080/19371918.2020.1808144 .[PubMed: 32970545].
https://doi.org/10.1080/19371918.2020.1808144
PMid:32970545
 
31. Kılınç T, Sis Çelik A. Relationship between the social support and psychological resilience levels perceived by nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic: A study from Turkey. Perspect Psychiatr Care. 2021 Jul;57(3):1000-1008. doi: 10.1111/ppc.12648 .[PubMed: 33073874].
https://doi.org/10.1111/ppc.12648
PMid:33073874
 
32. Chang SH, Shu Y, Wang CL, Chen MY, Ho WS. Cyber-entrepreneurship as an innovative orientation: Does positive thinking moderate the relationship between cyber-entrepreneurial self-efficacy and cyber-entrepreneurial intentions in Non-IT students?. Comput. Hum. Behav. 2020 Jun 1;107:105975. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2019.03.039
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2019.03.039
 
33. Edalat A, Makvandi B. Effectiveness of positive thinking training on stress, rumination and body image concern in mastectomized women. Iran. Rehabilitation J. 2019 Oct 10;6(1):69-76. 10.21859/ijrn-06109