Effects of Temperamental Characteristics on Depression-Anxiety Levels and the Quality of Life in Infertile Women

OBJECTIVE: It is known that the risk of anxiety disorders and depression in infertile women increases and their quality of life deteriorates. Temperamental characteristics are considered as predictors of mood disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate temperamental characteristics in infertile women and their effects on depression and anxiety levels, and the quality of life, and to reveal the differences and level of relationship compared to healthy women. METHOD: Fourty-four female patients with primary infertility and 30 healthy female controls were included in this study. Temperamental characteristics of the participants were assessed with Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego-Autoquestionnaire version (TEMPS-A). Depression and anxiety severity were evaluated with Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). To evaluate the quality of life, Short Form 36 (SF-36) health survey questionnaire was also applied. RESULTS: Hyperthymic temperament scores were higher in infertile women than the control group (p=0.001). BDI scores were positively correlated with depressive and cyclothymic temperament scores, and BAI scores were positively correlated with depressive and anxious temperament scores. A negative correlation was found between hyperthymic temperament and BAI and BDI scores. Hyperthymic temperament scores were positively correlated with both physical and mental subdimension scores of the quality of life scale. CONCLUSION: In this study, hyperthymic temperament in infertile women was shown to be protective against anxiety and depression and it also improves the quality of life. Additional studies are needed to clarify the relationship between hyperthymic temperament and ovarian hormones or other biological parameters.