Stress, depression, and the desire for social support among male patients in fertility and cancer clinics

financial support, mostly from family, with parents being the most common source. After OC, 30% admitted an attitude change toward parenting, mostly in a positive way (i.e. made it a priority or increased openness to alternative family-creating options). >60% also felt lessening of biological-clock pressure when dating and were more open to using donor sperm if still lacking a suitable partner by age 43 (average; range 35-50y). 1/4 said OC changed their dating habits: feeling more relaxed, focused, less desperate and with more time to find the right partner. >60% admitted discussing OC while dating and 90% with family/friends. They were most often met with positive/ supportive reception. 96% would recommend OC to another. After undergoing OC, 22% got pregnant or had children without resorting to their frozen eggs (2/3 naturally; 1/3 ART; 4% adoption). 13% of respondents thawed eggs resulting in a 32% live birth rate. Of those not yet thawing, 1/2 cited lacking a suitable co-parent as the obstacle; 90% reported future intent to thaw. CONCLUSIONS: Women are pursuing OC at younger ages, with the primary indication being lack of a suitable co-parenting partner; the latter was also the most common reason cited for not returning to use eggs sooner. Cost was prohibitive for many, with some relying on family finances. Most reported OC as a positive experience, improving views of parenting, inciting healthier dating practices, enhancing hope for future family and expanding acceptable options for achieving that goal. O-153 Tuesday, October 18, 2016 11:45 AM STRESS, DEPRESSION, AND THE DESIRE FOR SOCIAL SUPPORT AMONG MALE PATIENTS IN FERTILITY AND CANCER CLINICS. S. A. Miner,a D. M. Daumler,a P. Chan,b K. Lo,c A. Gupta,d Z. Rosberger,e P. Zelkowitz.a,f aDepartment of Psychiatry, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada; bMcGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada; cMount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; dPrincess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; ePsychology, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada; fLady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada. OBJECTIVE: For women, the diagnosis of infertility has been shown to be as stressful as a cancer diagnosis; however, such relative stress levels have not been studied in men. This study compares male fertility and cancer patients’ self-reported mental health status and their relative desire for social support. DESIGN: We conducted separate online surveys of male fertility patients (N ¼ 242) and male cancer patients (N ¼ 167) who were recruited in hospitals and clinics. Men were asked about their fertility concerns, mental health, and desire for social support. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After combining the datasets for the two surveys, we performed a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to evaluate the relationship between patient type and self-reported stress (PSS-4) and depression (PHQ-2). Additionally, we used a logistic regression analysis to assess the association between patient type and the desire for social support, controlling for age, self-reported mental health status, and other demographic characteristics. RESULTS: We found that male cancer patients reported higher levels of stress (p < 0.001) and depression (p < 0.05), relative to male fertility patients. Although self-reported mental health status was associated with a greater willingness to use a social support network, cancer patients were less interested in accessing all forms of social support (p < 0.001), even after controlling for age, stress, and depression. Ultimately, patient type was the most significant predictor of men’s desire to use a social support network (p < 0.05) and a mobile health application (p < 0.01), controlling for stress, depression, and all demographic variables. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to previous research on women, our findings show that male cancer patients report worse mental health status than male fertility patients. Despite having lower levels of self-reported stress and depression, male fertility patients are more likely than male cancer patients to express a desire for social support. The increased need for support may be due to the lack of resources that are available to male fertility patients, as compared to those available to male cancer patients. An educational mobile health application with a built-in peer support network could address male fertility patients’ desire for information and resources. References: 1. Domar, A. D., Zuttermeister, P. C., and Friedman, R. The psychological impact of infertility: a comparison with patients with other medical conditions. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol 1993;14:45-52.

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ASRM Abstracts

2. Verhaak, C. M., Smeenk, J. M. J., Evers, A. W. M., Kremer, J. A. M., Kraaimaat, F. W., and Braat, D. D. M. Women’s emotional adjustment to IVF: a systematic review of 25 years of research. Human Reproduction 2007;13:27-36. Supported by: The study was funded by a grant from Canadian Institutes of Health Research TE1-138296. O-154 Tuesday, October 18, 2016 12:00 PM AN INTERNET-BASED MIND/BODY INTERVENTION TO MITIGATE DISTRESS IN WOMEN EXPERIENCING INFERTILITY: A RANDOMIZED PILOT TRIAL. J. Clifton,a J. Parent,a G. Worrall,b M. Seehuus,c M. Evans,a R. Forehand,a A. D. Domar.d aPsychological Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT; bCollege of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT; cPsychology, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT; dDomar Center for Mind/Body Health, Boston IVF, Waltham, MA. OBJECTIVE: Heightened anxiety and depressive symptoms often are comorbid with infertility diagnoses. However, despite numerous studies which document the positive impact of group mind/body interventions on distress levels and pregnancy rates, most patients do not avail themselves of such services. Barriers include privacy, a fear of stigmatization, cost, and the time commitment. The current study translated an empirically validated in-person mind/body group program into an internet-based intervention to suit the needs of this population. The primary goals of this pilot were to demonstrate that (1) the mind/body program developed for in-person implementation can be translated into an internet-based treatment; (2) participants will report appropriate levels of acceptance and readiness to engage in and complete this internetbased intervention; (3) participants will demonstrate reduction over the course of treatment in anxiety and depression symptom severity, and 4), the intervention is associated with increases in pregnancy rates. DESIGN: This pilot project was a randomized controlled trial using a between groups repeated measures experimental design. Data are being reported at mid-point as the pilot study is still underway. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Mind/Body Program for Infertility was modified to an internet-based program. Seventy-one women were recruited and randomized to the intervention (internet-based intervention) or wait-list control group. Acceptance and readiness was measured by retention rates (i.e., completing the mid-assessment), adherence (i.e., completing at least five out of ten modules), and satisfaction with intervention. The main outcome measures included the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI). Pregnancy rates were based on self-report. Retention rates, BAI, and BDI are reported at mid-assessment only. RESULTS: The retention, adherence, and satisfaction rates were similar to those reported in other internet-based studies. At mid-assessment, relative to the wait-list group, regression analyses revealed that the intervention group had a significantly lower level of depressive symptoms (b¼ -4.98, p ¼ .01, R2 ¼ 0.53, 95% CI [0.53, 0.84]) and, for those with elevated anxiety (BAI > 10) symptoms at baseline, a lower level of anxiety symptoms (b¼ -9.64, p ¼ .01, R2 ¼ .62, 95% CI [-17.72, -1.57]). In the intervention group, 16 of 36 (42%) women and in the wait-list group 6 of 35 (17%) women reported being pregnant, c2 (1, N ¼ 71) ¼ 9.76, p ¼ .003. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that the program is both feasible and acceptable. Furthermore, the results indicate that an internet-based intervention can reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms of women with a diagnosis of infertility and possibly promote pregnancy rates. Supported by: Department of Psychological Science, University of Vermont O-155 Tuesday, October 18, 2016 12:15 PM BURDEN OF CARE IS THE PRIMARY REASON WHY INSURED WOMEN TERMINATE IVF TREATMENT. A. D. Domar,a K. Rooney,b C. Rich,a M. R. Hacker,c D. Sakkas,b L. E. Dodge.d aDomar Center for Mind/Body Health, Boston IVF, Waltham, MA; bBoston IVF, Waltham, MA; cObstetrics and Gynecology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Brookline, MA; dObstetrics and Gynecology, Boston, MA. OBJECTIVE: To determine the primary reason(s) why insured patients discontinue in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment prior to achieving a live birth. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study.

Vol. 106, No. 3, Supplement, September 2016