Browsing by Author "Balsom, Ashley Anne"

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Open Access
Acceptance and commitment therapy for women experiencing infertility: A randomized controlled trial
(Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, University of Regina, 2025-03) Balsom, Ashley Anne; Gordon, Jennifer; Hadjistavropoulos, Heather; Klest, Bridget; Lasiuk, Gerri; Corsini-Munt, Serena
Approximately one in six Canadian couples are infertile, defined as the inability to achieve pregnancy despite 12 or more months of active attempts to conceive. While the psychological burden is well-established in the literature, currently available and adapted psychological interventions have had minimal effects on infertility-related distress, anxiety, or depression. We examined the efficacy of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to reduce distress associated with infertility. In Study One, we created the ACT-based intervention in collaboration with a panel of women who had lived experience with infertility. We then conducted a pilot trial with 20 women and used their feedback to refine and update the intervention. Study Two involved a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of the updated ACT intervention, recruiting 90 women who were randomized to the intervention or waitlist control groups. This study aimed to rigorously evaluate the efficacy of the ACT program in alleviating infertility-related distress. Among the recruited sample, 71% completed the entire intervention. Among the eighty-five participants who provided at least partial outcome data, the intervention group showed statistically greater improvements in all three primary outcomes: anxious symptoms (B(SE) = -2.3 (1.3), p = .036), depressive symptoms (B(SE) = -3.8 (1.2), p <.001), and fertility quality of life (B(SE) = 13.6 (3.1), p <.001) relative to the waitlist control group when adjusting for baseline symptom severity. Psychological inflexibility also decreased (B(SE) = -0.6 (0.2), p = .004), while psychological flexibility and relationship satisfaction remained unchanged (p > .05) in the intervention condition compared to the waitlist control condition. Effects were maintained at a one-month follow-up. This intervention shows promise as a cost-effective and accessible intervention for individuals experiencing infertility.
Open Access
Distress and Coping Among Infertile Women Attempting to Conceive Naturally
(Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, University of Regina, 2020-08) Balsom, Ashley Anne; Gordon, Jennifer; Wright, Kristi; Loutzenhiser, Lynn; Urban, Ann-Marie
Approximately one in five Canadian couples experience infertility, defined as being unable to achieve pregnancy despite 12 or more months of attempts to conceive. Experiencing infertility has been disproportionately associated with an array of psychological difficulties in women, however, there has been little research examining which coping strategies and behaviours may be helpful during these high-distress times of a woman’s cycle. Fifty-eight women were recruited for a study, via social media, examining the daily coping strategies and fertility monitoring methods (e.g., use of ovulation predictor tests), in relation to daily infertility distress among women with infertility. Over the course of one menstrual cycle, daily coping strategies, use of fertility monitoring methods, quality of life, and mood was assessed in the morning and evening of every second day. A number of adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies were identified: adaptive strategies included focusing one’s energy on activities unrelated to conceiving, such as focusing on other life goals, trying to stay optimistic, and actively planning next steps following an unsuccessful cycle. In contrast, avoidance of infertility reminders and seeking emotional support from others were associated with worse psychological outcomes. The use of fertility monitoring techniques was associated with greater anxiety. In terms of the influence of pregnancy test taking, a negative test was associated with an increase in depressive symptoms but also a decrease in anxiety symptoms compared to days where no test is taken. These findings highlight a number of potential areas for clinical targets for future infertility specific interventions.