Effect of Group Cognitive Behavior Therapy on Hardiness and Coping Strategies among Infertile Women Receiving Assisted Reproductive Therapy

Objective: To determine the effect of group Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) on psychological hardiness and coping strategies of infertile women undergoing Assisted Reproductive Therapy (ART). Methods: Two groups of infertile women who received ART consisted of experimental group (15 females) and control group (16 females) were compared. The participants in experimental group received 15 sessions of CBT group therapy. The control group received no psychological intervention. For gathering data Moss and Billing Coping Strategies Scales and AHVAZ Hardiness Scale for infertile women were used. Results: There was a significant difference in hardiness between the two groups after intervention. Coping strategies did not differ significantly between the two groups before intervention, nor after intervention but there was significant difference regarding cognitive-oriented coping style in terms of scores of pre- and post-test in experimental group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Group CBT developed psychological hardiness and cognitive-oriented coping style in experimental group.