Does infertility develop posttraumatic growth or anxiety/depressive symptoms? Roles of personality traits, resilience, and social support

This study aimed to explore levels of posttraumatic growth (PTG) and anxiety/depressive symptoms and the role of personality traits, resilience, and social support as predictors of PTG in infertile men/women.In our cross-sectional study, 162 infertile individuals (40 men and 122 women) completed the research questionnaires, including PTG, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Fertility Problem Inventory, NEO Five-Factor Inventory, Perceived Social Support, Kobasa hardiness short 20-item, and Beck Inventory Depression (BDI-II).The prevalence of PTG was higher than that of anxiety/depressive symptoms (55.6% vs. 45.7%/40.7%). Neuroticism (β = 0.54 ± 0.25, p < 0.03), extroversion (β = 0.69 ± 0.26, p < 0.01), and resilience (β = 0.33 ± 0.12, p < 0.008) were positive predictors of PTG.Infertile men/women with high level of resilience, extroversion, and neuroticism may have more tendency toward personal growth rather than distress. Practitioners ought to direct counseling to promote factors of personal growth.