SOCIAL WORK AND MANAGEMENT ›› 2026, Vol. 26 ›› Issue (2): 63-72.

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Dyadic Coping and Psychological Adjustment in Women Undergoing Assisted Reproductive Treatment: Associations Between Fertility Stress and Mental Health

SUN Hailong1, YAO Hong2   

  1. 1. Social Sciences Academic Press(CHINA),Beijing,100029, China;
    2. School of Ethnology and Sociology, Minzu University of China, Beijing, 100081, China
  • Received:2025-06-04 Online:2026-03-15 Published:2026-03-15

Abstract: Dyadic coping plays a crucial role in the joint management of stress among couples and exerts a significant influence on the psychological adjustment among women experiencing infertility. This study examined the mechanisms linking fertility stress, dyadic coping, and mental health among a cohort of 382 women undergoing assisted reproductive treatment. The findings indicate that: (1) fertility stress directly predicts higher levels of anxiety and depression; (2) negative dyadic coping significantly mediates the relationship between fertility stress and psychological distress, whereas positive dyadic coping does not show a significant mediating effect; (3) although positive and negative dyadic coping are interrelated, the negative pathway dominates in the stress transmission process. From a medical social work perspective, the study proposes a structured four-stage intervention model—initial assessment, treatment support, post-treatment support, and long-term adaptation—to improve couples’ coping strategies and enhance the mental health and quality of life of women facing infertility.

Key words: infertility, fertility stress, dyadic coping, mental health, medical social work

CLC Number: 

  • C916
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