Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing

The effects of a lifestyle intervention for men in infertile couples in South Korea: a non-randomized clinical trial: Yun Mi Kim, Ju-Hee Nho; Received August 20, 2024 Accepted March 6, 2025 Published online April 16, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.24104 [Epub ahead of print]

Abstract PDF ePub: Purpose
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of an interaction model of client health behavior (IMCHB)-based lifestyle intervention on health-promoting behaviors, infertility stress, fertility-related quality of life, and semen quality in men in infertile couples.
Methods
This study used a quasi-experimental, non-equivalent control group, pretest-posttest design, with participants divided into an experimental group (n=17) and a control group (n=19). The 16-session, 8-week intervention included components such as reproductive health education, physical activity, nutritional management, and stress management. Data collection occurred between July 1, 2021 and September 27, 2022. The outcomes measured included health-promoting behaviors, infertility stress, fertility-related quality of life, and sperm quality (volume, total motility, immobility, concentration, and normal morphology).
Results
The experimental group showed significant improvements in health-promoting behaviors (z=–2.27, p=.023) and reductions in infertility stress (t=–2.40, p=.022) compared to the control group. Total sperm motility (F=4.39, p=.045) and normal morphology (z=2.86, p=.017) were also significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group.
Conclusion
The IMCHB-based lifestyle intervention significantly increased health-promoting behaviors, reduced infertility stress, and improved key sperm parameters, indicating its effectiveness in supporting the reproductive health of men in infertile couples.

28 View
3 Download

Experiences of Unmarried Women Undergoing Planned Oocyte Cryopreservation: Miok Kim, Kim Mingyoung; J Korean Acad Nurs 2024;54(4):577-593. Published online November 30, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.24064

Abstract PDF ePub: Purpose
The present study investigated the experiences of unmarried women undergoing planned oocyte cryopreservation (OC).
Methods
Data were collected from August 2022 to February 2023 through individual in-depth interviews with thirteen unmarried women undergoing planned OC. Data were analyzed using Colazzi’s phenomenological method.
Results
The findings revealed four distinct clusters. The first cluster, “Safeguards against Future Uncertainty,” examined experiences associated with uncertainties in several aspects of reproductive health threats and decision-making regarding planned OC. The second cluster, “Indescribable Pain and Chaos,” explored the psychological and physical pain, complications, concerns about repeat procedures, and uncertainties about the use of frozen oocytes experienced during the planned OC process and afterward. The third cluster, “Motivation to Rebuild Resilience,” explored participants’ resilience in overcoming difficulties and shocks during the planned OC process and regaining their inner strength through the support of family and friends. The fourth cluster, “Finally Freeing the Mind,” focused on the sense of liberation from the pressure of marriage and childbirth, which enabled participants to engage in their present self and concentrate on self-stability and growth in preparation for the future.
Conclusion
The present study enhances our understanding of the emotional difficulties and distress experienced by women considering OC, thereby assisting in improving approaches for psychological support and clinical management. Furthermore, providing insights into these first-hand experiences to women considering planned OC, healthcare professionals, and policymakers could help establish systems to support the decision-making process.

623 View
59 Download

Factors Influencing Oncofertility in Gynecological Cancer Patients: Application of Mixed Methods Study: Kim, Minji , Ha, Juyoung; J Korean Acad Nurs 2024;54(3):418-431. Published online August 31, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.23151

Abstract PDF: Purpose
This study aimed to identify factors influencing oncofertility and to explore the oncofertility experiences of patients with gynecological cancer using quantitative and qualitative methods, respectively. Methods: An explanatory sequential mixed-methods study was conducted. The quantitative study involved 222 patients with gynecological cancer recruited from online cafes and hospitals. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 28. For qualitative research, eight patients with gynecological cancer were interviewed. Data were analyzed using theme analysis method. Results: Oncofertility performance was quantitatively assessed in 40 patients (18.0%). Factors that significantly affected oncofertility were fertility preservation awareness (odds ratio [OR] = 14.97, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.22~53.08), number of children planned before cancer diagnosis (OR = 6.08, 95% CI: 1.89~19.62; OR = 5.04, 95% CI: 1.56~16.29), monthly income (OR = 3.29, 95% CI: 1.23~8.86), social support (OR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.01~1.17), and anxiety (OR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.66~0.95). Qualitative results showed three theme clusters and eight themes: (1) themes for determinant factors affecting oncofertility selection: ‘desire to have children’ and ‘special meaning of the uterus and ovaries;’ (2) themes for obstructive factors affecting oncofertility selection: ‘fertility preservation fall behind priorities,’ ‘confusion caused by inaccurate information,’ and ‘my choice was not supported;’ (3) themes for support factors affecting oncofertility selection: ‘provide accurate and reasonable information about oncofertility,’ ‘addressing the healthcare gap,’ and ‘need financial support for oncofertility.’ Conclusion: Financial support, sufficient information, social support, and anxiety-relief interventions are required for oncofertility in patients with gynecological cancer.

549 View
42 Download

Factors Influencing the Intention for Continual Fertility Treatments by the Women Undergoing Assisted Reproductive Technology Procedures: A Cross-Sectional Study: Kim, Miok , Kim, Minkyung , Ban, Minkyung; J Korean Acad Nurs 2024;54(1):59-72. Published online February 29, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.23095

Abstract PDF

Purpose
This cross-sectional study aimed to identify factors influencing the intention for continual fertility treatments among women undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART).
Methods
A total of 197 women were recruited through convenience sample from fertility hospitals in Gyeonggi-do and Busan, South Korea. Data were collected using a self-report questionnaire incorporating measures of uncertainty; Depression Anxiety Stress Scales; Fatigue Severity Scale; Coping Scale for Infertility-Women; spousal support; treatment environment; and intention for continual fertility treatment. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, t-tests, and logistic regression analysis were conducted using IBM SPSS 26.0.
Results
As many as 70.6% of the participants expressed an intention for continual fertility treatments. Logistic regression analysis revealed that factors such as uncertainty (odds ratio [OR] = 0.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.20~0.95), active coping (OR = 4.04, 95% CI 1.11~14.71), treatment environment (OR = 2.77, 95% CI 1.26~6.07), and the duration of marriage (OR = 2.61, 95% CI 1.24~5.49) were significantly related with this intention.
Conclusion
These findings underscore the significance of uncertainty management, having proactive coping strategies, having supportive treatment environments, and considering the duration of marriage concerning women’s intention for continual fertility treatment in the context of ART. The implications of these results extend to the development of nursing intervention programs aimed at providing crucial support for women undergoing ART and seeking to continue their infertility treatment.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Psychiatric Considerations of Infertility
Yoon Jung Hwang, Junhee Lee, Jihyun Hwang, Hyeonhee Sim, Namwoo Kim, Tae-Suk Kim
Psychiatry Investigation.2024; 21(11): 1175. CrossRef

547 View
44 Download
1 Web of Science
1 Crossref

The Reliability and Validity of Korean Version of the Infertility Stigma Scale (K-ISS): Kim, Miok , Ban, Minkyung; J Korean Acad Nurs 2022;52(6):582-597. Published online December 31, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.22068

Abstract PDF: Purpose
This study aimed to translate the Infertility Stigma Scale (ISS) into Korean and to evaluate its reliability and validity in the Korean context.
Methods
Data were collected from 350 women who underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF). Data were analyzed using SPSS WIN 25.0 and AMOS 22.0. Content validity was analyzed using the item-level content validity index (I-CVI) and scale-level content validity index/averaging (S-CVI/Ave). The preliminary survey was conducted on 20 women who had experienced IVF at least once to check the level of understanding of the tool and the time required to fill out the questionnaire. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used to test construct validity. Additionally, hypothesis-testing construct validity were tested. Cronbach’s α was used to assess the reliability.
Results
The Korean-ISS (K-ISS) consists of 25 items, excluding two items from the original ISS questionnaire. Exploratory factor analysis identified four factors, which explained 75.6% of the total variance. The four distinct factors were infertility stigma with self-devaluation (56.8%), public stigma (8.1%), social withdrawal (6.5%), and family stigma (4.2%). In the confirmatory factor analysis, the 25 items in the four-factor structure were validated (χ² /df ≤ 3, RMSEA ≤ 10). The hypothesis-testing construct validity of K-ISS against FPI (r = .58∼.71, p < .001) and FQI (r = - .49∼- .65, p < .001) was tested and found to be significant. The internal consistency reliability of the K-ISS, assessed using Cronbach’s α, was .97.
Conclusion
The K-ISS has satisfactory construct validity and reliability; therefore, it can help minimize the negative impact of stigma by measuring the stigma associated with women experiencing infertility.

359 View
18 Download
1 Web of Science

Development of a Coping Scale for Infertility-Women (CSI-W): Kim, Miok , Ko, Jung-Mi; J Korean Acad Nurs 2020;50(5):671-685. Published online October 31, 2020; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.20038

Abstract PDF

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to develop a Coping Scale for Infertility-Women (CSI-W).
Methods
The initial items were based on an extensive literature review and in-depth interviews with seven infertile women. Forty-three items were derived from a pilot survey. Data were collected from 216 women who had experienced intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in-vitro fertilization (IVF) more than once. The data were analyzed to verify the reliability and validity of the scale.
Results
Seven factors containing 28 items (four factors containing 17 items for active coping and three factors containing 11 items for passive coping) were extracted from the exploratory factor analysis to verify the construct validity. The four factors of active coping were confrontation, self-control, seeking social support (spouse), and seeking social support (colleagues and experts). The three factors of passive coping were distancing, escape, and avoidance. These items were verified through convergent, discriminant, and concurrent validity testing. The internal consistency reliability was acceptable (active coping: Cronbach’s a = .78; passive coping: Cronbach’s a = .81).
Conclusion
As its validity and reliability have been verified through various methods, the CSI-W can contribute to assessing the coping strategies of infertile women.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Factors Influencing the Intention for Continual Fertility Treatments by the Women Undergoing Assisted Reproductive Technology Procedures: A Cross-Sectional Study
Miok Kim, Minkyung Kim, Minkyung Ban
Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing.2024; 54(1): 59. CrossRef
Design and psychometric evaluation of the collaborative coping with infertility questionnaire in candidate of assisted reproductive techniques
Marzie Reisi, Ashraf Kazemi
Scientific Reports.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Types and Characteristics of Stress Coping in Women Undergoing Infertility Treatment in Korea
Yumi Choi, So-Hyun Moon
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2023; 20(3): 2648. CrossRef

529 View
20 Download
2 Web of Science
3 Crossref

Effects of First Assisted Reproductive Technologies on Anxiety and Depression among InfertileWomen: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: Ha, Ju-Young , Ban, Seon-Hwa , Lee, Hae-Jung , Lee, Misoon; J Korean Acad Nurs 2020;50(3):369-384. Published online June 30, 2020; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.19187

Abstract PDF

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to analyze anxiety and depression among infertile women at different time points during the firstIn Vitro Fertilization (IVF) or Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) treatment through a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Methods
Seven out of 3,011 studies were included for meta-analysis. To estimate the effect size, a meta-analysis of the studies was performedusing the RevMan 5.3 program. We compared the measurement outcomes at three time points: before the start of treatment (T0), cancellationof treatment after pregnancy detection (T2), one to six months after treatment (T3). The effect size used was the standardizedmean difference (SMD).
Results
In comparing the different time points of the pregnant women from their cycle, significantly lower levelsof depression were found at T2 than at T0. In non-pregnant women, anxiety at T2 and depression at T2 and T3 were significantly higherthan those at T0. At T2 and T3, the non-pregnant women reported higher levels of anxiety and depression compared with the pregnantwomen.
Conclusion
Anxiety and depression in infertile women undergoing the first IVF or ICSI are associated with the time points andpregnancy status after treatment. These findings suggest that attention should be paid to helping infertile women prepare for and copewith treatment and treatment failure.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Effect of Stress on Each of the Stages of the IVF Procedure: A Systematic Review
Anastasia Tsambika Zanettoullis, George Mastorakos, Panagiotis Vakas, Nikolaos Vlahos, Georgios Valsamakis
International Journal of Molecular Sciences.2024; 25(2): 726. CrossRef
An Integrative Review of Psychosocial Intervention Programs for Infertile Females
Youjin Shin, Soo-Hyun Nam
STRESS.2023; 31(4): 158. CrossRef
The dynamics of mental health measures of pre- and postpartum women undergoing assisted reproductive technology
Maria E. Blokh, Varvara O. Anikina, Svetlana S. Savenysheva, Maria I. Levintsova
Journal of obstetrics and women's diseases.2023; 72(1): 17. CrossRef

368 View
10 Download
1 Web of Science
3 Crossref

Experience of Mothers with Babies by in Vitro Fertilization: Myung Sun Yi, So Woo Lee, Myoung Ae Choe, Keum Soon Kim, Yun Mi Kim; Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing 2001;31(1):55-67. Published online March 29, 2017; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2001.31.1.55

Abstract PDF

A phenomenological study was conducted to investigate the experiences of mothers pregnant via in vitro fertilization (IVF). Sample of nine mothers participated. Ten theme clusters emerged when the formulated meanings were organized into categories. During the infertility period, the participants were subject to self- depreciation, envy, anxiety, and depression. It changed their priorities in life from a job-oriented life to one where having a baby was the most important thing. After trying numerous alternative therapies, IVF became their last hope in having a baby. Since the success rate for IVF is low (only 20-30%), the participants for the treatment were overwhelmed with uncertainty, and it led to further anxiety, depression and despair. Success of pregnancy gave them extreme satisfaction, but they became very cautious in their day-to-day life because of their fear of abortion and early delivery. Some were even worried about the side effect of IVF during the pregnancy. Finally, the delivery of the baby gave them relief from the obligation of having a baby. Women did not have any difficulties in rearing a "test tube baby" except in the case of twins. Most women had no ethical difficulty in having a baby by IVF. However they did not wish this information to be revealed to other people. They again turned to IVF to have a son(s) when the resultory child(s) was a daughter(s). This is because of the strong preference for sons in Korean society.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Development of an Uncertainty Scale for Infertile Women
Miok Kim, Sue Kim
Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing.2010; 16(4): 370. CrossRef

157 View
0 Download
1 Crossref

The Study of Loneliness in Infertile Women: Kyoung Jin Bae, Seung Ok Ro, Jung A Kim; Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing 1999;29(6):1379-1391. Published online March 29, 2017; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.1999.29.6.1379

Abstract PDF

The purpose of this study was to investigate loneliness in infertile women and determine how loneliness related to personal characteristics, cause of infertility, family composition, and family conflicts. It also provides basic data for nursing strategies concerning infertile women. A total of 182 subjects were selected at an infertile clinic in Seoul, Korea. Data were collected from May 2 to June 21, 1997 by questionaire. It consisted of questions concerning general characteristics, items relating to infertility, and the Loneliness Scale. The UCLA Loneliness scale was used(more specifically, the Korean version of the Revised UCLA Scale by Kim Ok Soo.). The data were analyzed by using SPSS/PC computer program. The result are as follows: 1. The mean age of infertile women was 32.4 years old, and the mean age of souses was 34.8 yerars old. 30.2% of women had a marital duration of 3-5 years, and 25.8% had a marital duration of 5-10 years. 23.1% reported the main etiology of infertility as unexplained, 18.1% reported ovulation disturbances, and 26.4% reported complex causes. 3.8% of the couples had sexual relationship difficulty 83% lived in nuclear families, while 17% lived in large families. 2. The mean loneliness scores of infertile women was 35.53(SD=8.66). The total loneliness score of this study was 80. 3. There were significant differences in loneliness scores according to ages(F=6.893, p=.001), education background(t=4.418, p=.000), and the educational background of husband(t=2.339, p=.020). 4. Loneliness scores related to family situations were significantly different according to several male nephews in husbands' family(F=2.822, p=.027). 5. Loneliness scores related to conflicts were significantly different according to husbands and their family(F=11.465, p=.000). Nurses should acknowlege the fact that some infertile women may experience loneliness. In conclusion, nurses can provide infertile women with information about ways to decrease loneliness and create support groups for themselves, assisting infertile women to adjust to the experience of infertility through positive methods.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Factors Influencing the Depression Level of Couples Participating in the National Supporting Program for Infertile Couples
Nami Hwang, Insun Jang
Journal of Korean Academy of Community Health Nursing.2015; 26(3): 179. CrossRef
Development of an Uncertainty Scale for Infertile Women
Miok Kim, Sue Kim
Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing.2010; 16(4): 370. CrossRef
Lived Experience of IVF-ET Program
Yun Jung Lee, Kwuy Bun Kim
Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing.2009; 15(1): 43. CrossRef

109 View
0 Download
3 Crossref

Search