The goal was to examine prospectively the relation of psychological
factors to the outcome after in vitro fertilization (IVF) in a sample of
Greek women. Previous studies investigating the relation of IVF outcome
to anxiety and depression have yielded contradictory results; other
psychological dimensions have not been studied. 81 women who followed an
IVF program during a 6-mo. period were prospectively evaluated.
Demographic and gynecological data were assessed and women completed
questionnaires measuring anxiety, depression, narcissistic traits,
over-dependency, self-esteem, hostility and alexithymia. Multiple
logistic regression analysis showed that successful IVF outcome
correlated with more alexithymic characteristics and younger age.
Correlation between alexithymia and successful IVF outcome is
demonstrated. This might be explained by the “operational” nature of
IVF techniques, to which alexithymic individuals would respond better
