Background: Infertility is an emerging socioeconomic issue affecting an individual’s life and the nation. However, only few studies have examined the influence of resilience on the quality of life (QoL) of spouses as actors and partners. Hence, this study aimed to analyze the influence of resilience, a positive factor that infertile couples may have, on QoL using the actor–partner interdependence model (APIM). Methods: By the analyses of couples’ data, we analyzed the effect of resilience on the QoL of infertile couples as actors and partners. This cross-sectional study included 150 infertile couples. The Fertility Quality of Life and Resilience Scale was used to measure couples’ QoL and resilience. APIM was applied to analyze QoL. Results: In terms of actor effects, the resilience of both wives (β = 0.201, p < 0.001) and husbands (β = 0.713, p < 0.001) had a significant effect on individual QoL. With regard to partner effects, husbands’ resilience (β = 0.351, p < 0.001) had a significant impact on wives’ QoL and the wives’ resilience (β = 0.219, p = 0.009) had a significant impact on husbands’ QoL. Conclusions: The resilience of an infertile actor was found to affect both his/her own QoL and his/her partner’s QoL. In the future, if a program is to be developed to improve couples’ QoL, both spouses should work together to improve their resilience, thereby improving their QoL.

Kwon SL, et al. J Korean Med Sci. 2022 Jul;37(29):e239. https://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2022.37.e239

The purpose of this study was to systematically review randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and conduct a meta-analysis wherein the results of RCTs were integrated and analyzed to assess the effects of mind-body programs on anxiety, depression, quality of life, and pregnancy rate in infertile women. Using electronic databases [i.e., Research Information Sharing Service, Korean Studies Information Service System, KMbase, National Digital Science Library, Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), and PsycARTICLES], 10 out of 2,259 studies were included for meta-analysis. To estimate the effect size, a meta-analysis of the studies was performed using RevMan 5.3. The mind-body program was effective in relieving anxiety [standardized mean difference (SMD) = -3.44; 95% confidence interval (CI) = -5.94, -0.95; p = .007; I2 = 69%] and depression (SMD = -5.79; 95% CI = -10.36, -1.22; p = .010; I2 = 86%). Further, it was effective in enhancing the quality of life (SMD = 7.40; 95% CI = 2.92, 11.88; p = .001; I2 = 53%) and pregnancy rate (SMD = 2.06; 95% CI = 1.08, 3.95; p = .030; I2 = 73 %). The mind-body program was found to relieve anxiety and depression in infertile women and improve their quality of life, thereby positively affecting the pregnancy rate. The mind-body program needs to be provided to a wider audience for positive effects on the emotions and pregnancy outcomes of infertile women.

This research examines the low rate of co-administration of influenza and COVID-19 vaccines among seniors aged 65 and older in Korea, despite recommendations from authorities and academia worldwide. The study aimed to understand the influence of general characteristics and health beliefs on the vaccination choices of seniors, who were categorized into four groups based on their vaccination status: influenza only, COVID-19 only, both, or neither. A total of 400 participants, aged 65 and above, were selected through proportional stratified random sampling from five major Korean regions for a survey conducted between November 24th and December 15th, 2023. The results indicated no significant differences in general characteristics across these groups. However, regarding the health beliefs showed significant differences in perceived susceptibility and self-efficacy between the influenza-only and co-administration groups. Higher levels of perceived susceptibility and self-efficacy were associated with choosing co-administration. Contrary to previous studies focusing on safety concerns as a primary factor in vaccine hesitancy, this study highlights the role of individual health-related beliefs, particularly perceived susceptibility and self-efficacy, as critical in influencing the decision for co-administration among the elderly in Korea.

This study aimed to analyze the efficacy of psychosocial interventions for improving pregnancy rates in infertile women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Twelve studies were included in the meta-analysis. To estimate the effect size, a meta-analysis of the studies was performed using RevMan 5.3. The possibility of publication bias was evaluated using funnel plots and Egger's method. A statistically significant effect size (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 1.39; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.11-1.71; p = 0.004; I² = 19%) was found for the 12 studies that investigated the effects of psychosocial interventions on clinical pregnancy rates. The psychosocial interventions that had a significant effect on pregnancy rates were mind-body interventions (SMD = 1.37; 95% CI = 1.01-1.85; p = 0.040; I² = 0%) and cognitive behavioral therapy (SMD = 2.19; 95% CI = 1.17-4.13; p = 0.010). The results suggest that psychosocial interventions affect pregnancy rates. Moreover, they indicate that mind-body interventions and cognitive behavioral therapy are beneficial for improving the pregnancy outcome in infertile women undergoing IVF.

하주영, et al. J Korean Acad Nurs. 2020 Jun;50:e1. https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.19187