The mediating role of psychological flexibility in the relationship between self-efficacy and health-promoting behaviors in infertile women

Infertility can be associated with numerous negative individual and social consequences. The aim of this study was to investigate the mediating role of psychological flexibility in the relationship between self-efficacy and health-promoting behaviors in infertile women.

This descriptive-correlational study was a structural equation modeling research. Among women who referred to an infertility center in Sari city to receive infertility services in autumn 2019, 291 subjects were selected by purposive sampling method. The general self-efficacy questionnaire (GSEQ), cognitive flexibility inventory (CFI), and health promoting lifestyle questionnaire (HPLQ) were used to collect data. In the present study, Pearson's correlation coefficient and structural equation modeling were used to analyze the data using Amos software.

The results showed that flexibility (r=0.31, p≤0.01) and self-efficacy (r=0.29, p≤0.01) had a significant positive correlation with health-promoting behaviors. Flexibility mediated the relationship between self-efficacy and health-promoting behaviors (p≤0.01).

In summery, in infertile women, flexibility and self-efficacy have a significant role in predicting health-promoting behaviors. It seems that health professionals can help to strengthen flexibility and self-efficacy by designing appropriate interventions and thus health-promoting behaviors in these people.