Coping Profiles and Differences in Psychological Distress and Quality of Life in Clients Undergoing Assisted Reproductive Techniques: A Latent Profile Analysis

Purpose: Receiving assisted reproductive technology is stressful due to its long-lasting process, which might pose negative impacts on clients' psychological well-being and quality of life. This study was to investigate coping profiles among couples undergoing assisted reproductive technology and examine their associations with psychological distress and quality of life. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the IVF center of a specialized hospital in Shanghai, China. Of 502 eligible clients completed a structured, online survey of socio-demographic information, Dyadic Coping Inventory, Kessler Psychological Stress Scale, and Fertility quality of life. Coping profiles were identified using latent profile analysis and differences between identified profiles on psychological distress and quality of life were examined using analyses of covariance. Results: A three-profile solution was supported: low dyadic coping group (n = 168, 33.50%), moderate dyadic coping group (n = 241, 48.00%), and high dyadic coping group (n = 93, 18.50%). Significant differences between those groups were found in psychological distress and quality of life. Conclusion: The findings of this study have revealed dyadic coping profiles in clients undergoing assisted reproductive technology, which are differentially associated with psychological distress and quality of life.