Explaining the mental health model based on integrative self-knowledge and social support mediated by perceived stress in infertile women

Infertility is one of the painful experiences in women's lives that has important effects on their mental health. This study aimed to explain the mental health model based on integrative self-knowledge and social support mediated by perceived stress in infertile women. The research method was a descriptive-correlational type. Among infertile women referred to Royan Infertility Center and Sarem Hospital in 2018, 250 persons were selected by the Convenience Sampling method. Research tools include the Self-Knowledge Scale by Ghorbani et al. (2003); Measure of Perceived Stress by Cohen et al. (2003); Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support by Zimet et al. (1988) and Mental Health Inventory by Veit & Ware (1983). To analyze the obtained data, Spearman correlation coefficient (using SPSS software) and path analysis (using LISREL statistical software) were used. The results showed that the structural model has an acceptable fit with the collected data. Also, integrative self-knowledge and social support were directly and indirectly with the mediation of perceived stress related to mental health in infertile women. integrative self-knowledge, social support, and perceived stress accounted for a total of 42% of the mental health variance in infertile women. Considering the effects of psychological factors on infertility as well as the adverse effects of infertility on couples' lives, it can be said that studying psychological factors and helping to improve them can be helpful in infertile women.