Effect of Problem-solving Skills Training on Domestic Violence in Infertile Women: A Quasi-experimental Study

A direct relationship between infertility in women and their exposure to domestic violence has been reported, and several interventions have been suggested to reduce the exposure to violence in infertile women. The current study aims to assess the effect of problem-solving skill training (PSST) on the exposure of Iranian infertile women to domestic violence.

This is a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test/post-test/follow-up design using a control group, which was conducted in the infertility clinic of Shahid Akbarabadi Hospital affiliated to Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. A total of 80 infertile women who had experienced domestic violence participated in this study. The samples were selected using a convenience sampling method and were divided into two groups of intervention (n=40) and control (n=40) by the block randomization method. The intervention group received PSST online at 4 sessions per week each for 2 hours. The samples were followed up two months after training. To collect data, a demographic and obstetric form and the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale (CST2) were used. Data analysis was done in SPSS v.16 software by using t-test, chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Wilcoxon test.

Totally, 38 participants in the control group and 34 in the intervention group were followed up. Physical assault, psychological aggression, sexual coercion, sustained injury, and the negotiation did not show significant differences between the two groups before and after intervention (P>0.05). The mean of psychological aggression significantly increased after the intervention in both control (P=0.001) and intervention (P=0.026) groups.

PSST do not cause a significant difference in exposure to domestic violence between intervention and control groups of infertile women. The increase in exposure to psychological aggression in both groups after PSST can be due to the coincidence of the study with the COVID-19 pandemic. Further studies are recommended to provide PSST by face-to-face method along with exercises and group activities and teaching other skills such as communication skills.