The Efficacy of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy on Marital Satisfaction, Anxiety Sensitivity, and Learned Helplessness in Infertile Couples: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Background: Infertility is a significant life stressor that can negatively affect couples’ psychological well-being and marital relationships. Infertile couples often experience increased anxiety sensitivity, feelings of learned helplessness, and reduced marital satisfaction, highlighting the need for effective psychological interventions. Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the effects of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) on marital satisfaction, anxiety sensitivity, and learned helplessness in infertile couples. Materials and Methods: The present study was a quasi-experimental interventional study employing a pretest–posttest design conducted on infertile couples referred to infertility centers in Rasht in ۲۰۲۴. A total of ۳۶ infertile individuals were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to either the experimental group (n = ۱۸) or the control group (n = ۱۸). The experimental group participated in eight ۹۰-minute sessions of CBT, while the control group received no intervention. Data were collected using the ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Questionnaire, the Anxiety Sensitivity Index–۳ (ASI-۳), and the Learned Helplessness Questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) in SPSS version ۲۸. Results: The findings revealed that CBT significantly decrease physical concerns (F=۴۴.۸۹), cognitive concerns (F=۶۸.۸۷), social concerns (F=۵۱.۱۴), and learned helplessness (F=۵۴.۸۷), and increases marital satisfaction (F=۳۵.۳۴), in the infertile couples (P<۰.۰۱). Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that CBT is an effective psychological intervention for infertile couples. CBT significantly reduced anxiety sensitivity and learned helplessness while improving marital satisfaction. These results highlight the importance of incorporating CBT-based interventions into infertility treatment programs to enhance psychological well-being and relationship quality among infertile couples.

کلیدواژه ها:

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy ، Marital Satisfaction ، Anxiety Sensitivity ، Learned Helplessness ، Infertile Couples