Looking Out for The Secret Wound: The Effect of E-Cognitive Group Therapy with Emotional Disclosure on The Status of Mental Health in Infertile Women

Background: Considering the high prevalence of psychiatric disorders among infertilewomen, it seems that gynecologists, psychiatrists, and psychologists should be moreattentive to identify and treat these disorders. The aim of this study is to determine theeffect of E-cognitive group therapy with emotional disclosure on mentwal health statusof infertile women who are receiving assisted reproduction.Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial study, 80 infertile women whowere receiving hormonal therapy or other assisted reproductive technologies (ART)were randomly allocated to the cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) group or the controlgroup. The CBT group had a weekly 12-hour meeting for a period of three months.They also participated in some painting sessions (art therapy) and written and verbalemotional disclosure (both individually and in group presentation). The Depression,Anxiety, Stress Scales (DASS) test and Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) wereused for data gathering.Results: Results showed the level of psychological distress decreased in the controlgroup, but not significantly. Psychological intervention in the treatment groupsignificantly lowered the level of psychological distress; the mean score of DASSin all aspects was significant. The difference between the mean score of the twogroups after intervention was significant (p=0.001) and also according to ANCOVA(p=0.002). Differences were significant between the mean scores of both groups inthe PSWQ (p=0.001), Inventory Test (p=0.001), which was confirmed by ANCOVA(p=0.009).Conclusion: These finding suggest that CBT with emotional self-disclosure promotescoping strategies among infertile women. Results also show that these approaches developmental health and decrease stress in infertile women. Using a psychiatric approachin medical settings could help infertile women to promote their adjustment with mentalhealth problems due to of in infertility. (Registration Number: IRCT201108247407N2).