OBJECTIVE: To identify gender differences in coping responses and the association between coping and @entity458 in couples undergoing @entity52 ( @entity52 ) treatment at the University of the West Indies (UWI). METHODS: All @entity1 and @entity1 (n = 52) who were offered psychological counselling prior to beginning @entity52 treatment between October 2003 and May 2004 were invited to complete questionnaires on their coping responses, self-reported distress and socio-demographic data. One female declined. RESULTS: Of the 51 @entity1 , 52% had completed secondary education, 44% tertiary education, and 37% were 38 years or older; 42% of the couples were trying for more than seven years to have a @entity1 . Gender differences in coping included more @entity1 than @entity1 keeping others from knowing their @entity158 (p < 0.01) and more @entity1 ruminating about what they did wrong to cause the @entity249 (p < 0.01). These strategies were also associated with reports of heightened distress (p < 0.05). Talking to others to obtain information was associated with less negative feelings. Coping skills that were commonly used by both genders included seeking medical advice and engaging in wishful thinking. CONCLUSION: @entity1 coping with @entity249 may be at risk for self-depreciation and isolation because of their choice of coping strategies and the meaning they ascribe to the @entity249 . As a result, they are likely to experience more heightened distress than @entity1 who are also infertile. Counselling that is specific to gender-needs is indicated.

Gender differences in coping with @entity249 among couples undergoing counselling for XXXX treatment.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['participants', 'women', 'Women', 'child', 'men'] @entity249 :: ('MESH:D007246', 'Disease') :: ['infertility'] @entity458 :: ('MESH:D020018', 'Disease') :: ['psychological distress'] @entity158 :: ('MESH:D010146', 'Disease') :: ['pain'] @entity52 :: ('MESH:C566179', 'Disease') :: ['In Vitro Fertilization', 'IVF']
@entity52 :: (MESH:C566179,Disease) :: ['In Vitro Fertilization']
