Document Detail


Psychological patterns in donor insemination couples.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  3802000     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
One hundred and twenty couples applying for DI or involved in the procedure were seen in consultation or therapy at various stages. The clinical findings provide evidence that both partners experience conflict in two areas. The discovery of infertility generates transient impotence, loss of self-esteem and withdrawal in husbands, and anger, guilt and a wish to make reparations in wives. The DI procedure itself evokes oedipal conflicts. Clinical vignettes have been presented to illustrate these patterns and to provide evidence for the view that couples should recognize, discuss and come to terms with the conflicts generated by the discovery of infertility before tackling DI and the conflicts this procedure evokes. Although secrecy is advocated by most DI couples and physicians, a questionnaire study of 76 couples in our unit disclosed that many individuals consider it psychologically useful to discuss their infertility problems with others. Although secrecy may be useful, it may also, through the indirect sanction of denial and negation, interfere with the couple's acknowledging and discussing their problems. One useful purpose of a psychiatric assessment is that it can promote such acknowledgement and discussion. Conflict needs to be distinguished from psychopathology which may be the outcome of unresolved conflict.
Authors:
D M Berger; A Eisen; J Shuber; K F Doody
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Canadian journal of psychiatry. Revue canadienne de psychiatrie     Volume:  31     ISSN:  0706-7437     ISO Abbreviation:  Can J Psychiatry     Publication Date:  1986 Dec 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  1987-03-09     Completed Date:  1987-03-09     Revised Date:  2007-08-01    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  7904187     Medline TA:  Can J Psychiatry     Country:  CANADA    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  818-23     Citation Subset:  IM    
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Attitude
Confidentiality
Conflict (Psychology)*
Emotions
Female
Humans
Infertility, Male / psychology*
Insemination, Artificial / psychology*
Insemination, Artificial, Heterologous / psychology*
Male
Marriage
Questionnaires

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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