Objective: To explore the effects of fertility stress on the quality of life (QOL) of infertile men and the dual mediating roles of positive and negative emotions in fertility stress and fertility QOL.
METHODS: Using the Fertility Problem Inventory, Fertility Quality of Life Questionnaire and Positive and Negative Affect Scale, we conducted a cross-sectional survey among 304 infertile men. We established a structural equation model for analysis of the relationship between the four variables of fertility stress, fertility QOL, positive emotion and negative emotion.
RESULTS: The scores of the patients in fertility stress, fertility QOL, positive emotion and negative emotion were (158.42 ± 21.725), (60.72 ± 10.926), (32.15 ± 6.294) and (19.48 ± 6.378), respectively. The root mean square error approximation (RMSEA) of the direct effect model, positive emotion separate mediation model and negative emotion separate mediation model was >0.08, and the dual mediation model showed optimum fit indexes, with χ2 / df = 1.959, goodness of fit index (GFI) = 0.950, adjusted GFI (AGFI) = 0.919, normed fit index (NFI) = 0.899, incremental fit index (IFI) = 0.948, Tucker-Lewis index (TLI) = 0.926, comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.947, and RMSEA = 0.056. The results of bootstrap test indicated that the positive and negative emotions had significant mediating effects, both incomplete, on fertility stress and fertility QOL. Moreover, the separate mediation of positive emotion exhibited no statistically significant difference from that of negative emotion (95% CI: －0.063 to 0.028).
CONCLUSIONS: Positive emotion and negative emotions are part of the intermediary in fertility stress and fertility QOL. Fertility stress can affect fertility QOL through the dual mediating effect of positive emotion and negative emotions in infertile men.
